Serving Christ and Connecting Catholics in Western North Carolina
Puerto Rican Catholicism emphasizes devotion to the saints – as seen in the santos de palo carvings here. Traditionally, towns were centered around churches in Puerto Rico, and Spanish law mandated a plaza be built near the church to hold fiestas patronales (patron saint festivals). Today, these festivals may still include a procession, but they are broader cultural events that include parades, games, food and entertainment.
Puerto Rican cooking is known for its flavorful combination of spices and oils mixed with staples like rice, beans and chicken. The simple recipes we’ve gathered online provide the perfect opportunity to bring kids into the kitchen and talk about the culture as you prepare a meal together.