Santo Domingo.– Today, September 24th is the 395th anniversary of the proclamation of the Our Lady of Mercies (La Virgen de las Mercedes) as the patron saint of the Dominican Republic and the island of Hispaniola as a whole.
A series of events are being held to
commemorate this event, which is a national holiday. The Blessing of
the Waters will take pace today at 7:00pm at the Church of Las
Mercedes in the capital’s Colonial Zone.
Various Masses will be celebrated in honor of the patron saint, followed by the traditional procession through the Colonial Zone.

Do anyone know the history behind this celebration?
It isn't as glorious as you might think.
Especially for the original inhabitants of Hispaniola, the Tainos..
Colonization.......