This is a picture of la Virgen de la Altagracia; she is considered the protector of all Dominicans. I come from a Dominican family that has a lot of faith and believes la Altagracia has a lot of power and does a lot of miracles. I remember being sick as a kid and my mom would pray out loud and ask her to make me feel better once I felt better she would say la Virgen de la Altagracia touched me and that’s why I was feeling better. Now as an adult and with a child, I myself pray to la Virgen de la Altagracia when my son is sick. I have a lot of faith in her and also have her image in my house. Many people that come to the United States from the DR pray to la Virgen de la Altagracia so that she can make the process of adapting to a new country easier, they also pray so that they can find employment. January 21st is the day of la Virgen de la Altagracia; many Dominicans celebrate this day by going to church and praising her.

– JB

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