The Fraternity of the Lord of the Miracles of Perth Amboy held its annual traditional Mass and procession of the Lord of the Miracles, Christ of Pachacamilla (Señor de los Milagros, Cristo de Pachacamilla) Sunday at Saints Cyril and Methodius National Catholic Church, 600 Jacques St in Perth Amboy, NJ.

The 10:15 a.m. Mass was followed by a five-hour procession around the church which began around 12:30 p.m. Our Lord of the Miracles of New York Choir performed. During the procession dancers of Peruvian culture of the Andes performed and there were tributes by Peruvian fraternities from New York and New Jersey.

Alejandro Beoutis, Peruvian general consul for New Jersey, was invited to attend along with Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz.

From the Courier Post: Peruvian procession hits Peth Amboy’s streets

PERTH AMBOY — A centuries-old Peruvian tradition took on its own form in the center of Perth Amboy’s streets Sunday afternoon, as a crowd massed outside the Saint Cyril Church to celebrate the Lord of the Miracles procession.

In Peru, October brings this same procession to the country’s capital city, Lima, where thousands take to the streets dressed in purple and clutching flower offerings during this holy day of atonement.

A mural of Jesus Christ remains the focal point for any of these processions, each parading a rendition of this 17th century painting that is said to have been the work of a Black slave.

Shortly after its creation, the painting survived a massive earthquake that nearly wiped out the entire city and drew in the faithful and followers alike.

“This is a tradition that we want to continue,” said Maria Moran, a spectator, who attends these processions throughout the state.

While Sunday’s crowd was minuscule compared to Peru’s procession; the dedication of parishioners was immeasurable, as they stood under trees and huddled in doorways suffering through the afternoon’s downpour.

“For me it’s everything – it’s my beliefs, it’s my background,” said Katherine Miraval, who took cover under a tent at the rear of the procession. “(Jesus) does perform miracles.”

A recent endeavor for St. Cyril, the procession has brought many Peruvians throughout the community closer to the church, said Father Mario Zochowski.

Prior to flooding the streets, many of the parade-goers attended a mass, where a few additional hymns and even more new faces extended services by about half-an-hour, he said.

“It’s something you have to see for yourself,” Zochowski said, watching approximately 25 men harmoniously shuffle their feet while balancing the mural’s altar gracefully on one shoulder.

Every few yards, the mural would be passed along to a new group of men, or a Fraternity of the Lord of the Miracles, whose members spent months preparing for their role in the procession, if only to get the footwork down to a science.