# Parroquia Nuestra Señora de las Gracias (Onuva): full profile

> Catholic parish in Santa Tecla, La Libertad, El Salvador, known locally as "Onuva". Motto: "Santuario mariano y tierra de misericordia" (a Marian sanctuary and a land of mercy).

## Identity
- Official name: Parroquia Nuestra Señora de las Gracias
- Also known as: Onuva, Parroquia Onuva, Iglesia Onuva, Our Lady of Graces Parish
- Address: Km 12 1/2 Carretera al Boquerón, Santa Tecla, La Libertad, El Salvador
- Parking: on site
- Language of services: Spanish
- Contact: WhatsApp +503 6028-1718 (messages only, parish office)

## About
The parish is dedicated to Nuestra Señora de las Gracias, the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus, who appears in the parish logo. The grounds are a garden with large old trees and brick paths. The name Onuva comes from the Onuva Catholic community, also known as Fraternidad de la Madre de Dios (and historically Comunidad del Anav), which began in La Puebla del Río, Seville, Spain, with a Marian spirituality and a commitment to serving the poorest and those who have no one.

## Places of worship
- Templo grande (main church): new, white, full of light, large windows onto the garden. Capacity about 300 people. Sunday Mass at 11:30 a.m. and larger celebrations.
- Capilla (chapel): simple chapel with arched windows and roses at the door. Capacity about 50 people. Weekday Masses and Sunday 6:30 a.m. Mass.

## Mass and confession times
- Monday to Saturday: 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon (chapel)
- Sunday: 6:30 a.m. (chapel) and 11:30 a.m. (main church)
- Confession: Thursday from 4:00 p.m.
- Times may change during Holy Week and feast days

## Parish office hours
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

## Weddings
Offerings (ofrendas; the parish does not use the words cost or price):
- Chapel: $200 (about 50 people)
- Main church: $350 (about 300 people), plus a $100 deposit, returned if the rules are respected
- Air conditioning (main church only, on request): $100
- Wedding rehearsal: $25

Documents:
- Baptism certificate of each partner
- Confirmation certificate of each partner
- Copies of DUI or passport of both partners
- Two witnesses who are friends, not relatives, with copies of their DUI or passport
- Civil marriage certificate, if already married civilly (otherwise added after opening the file but before the church wedding)
- Pre-marriage course certificate
- If bringing an outside priest: copies of his credentials
- If not living in the parish territory: marriage permission from the couple's own parish

Steps:
1. Gather all documents. The appointment is only booked when everything is complete.
2. Contact the parish office by WhatsApp to book the marriage file appointment.
3. Fill in the marriage form (sent by WhatsApp) and send it back one day before the appointment.
4. Open the marriage file one and a half months before the wedding, not days or weeks before.
5. Rehearsal ($25) and celebration (maximum two hours).

The parish offers the church as a service, not a business: only the religious ceremony takes place here and the reception is held elsewhere.

## Rules for using the church and chapel
1. The celebration must not exceed two hours.
2. Bringing air conditioning units is not allowed (the main church has air conditioning for a $100 offering).
3. No smoking inside or outside the church or restrooms; no alcoholic drinks.
4. No wire or tape to hold flower arrangements.
5. Do not stain walls or restrooms.
6. Do not throw rice, petals, confetti or anything that stains.
7. Do not cut garden plants.
8. Do not scratch the pews or stand on the kneelers.
9. Any damage must be paid for.
10. Use bins, paper towels and toilet paper with care.
11. Accompany children to the restroom.
12. Do not take anything from the church.
13. No water cylinders or candles as decoration.
14. Flower arrangements must be approved by the parish.

## Baptisms and first communions
Celebrated at the parish. Requirements, preparation talks, catechesis and dates are given by the parish office (WhatsApp +503 6028-1718).

## Patronal feast
Fiestas patronales in honor of Nuestra Señora de las Gracias, September 8 to 15 each year, with Mass, the rosary and special days with the communities of the parish and its school.

## Frequently asked questions
Q: What time is Sunday Mass at Onuva?
A: 6:30 a.m. in the chapel and 11:30 a.m. in the main church.

Q: When can I go to confession?
A: Thursdays from 4:00 p.m.

Q: What are the parish office hours?
A: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Q: What is the offering for a wedding?
A: Chapel $200; main church $350 plus a $100 refundable deposit; air conditioning $100; rehearsal $25.

Q: How far ahead is the marriage file opened?
A: One and a half months before the wedding, with all documents complete.

Q: Can the reception be held at the parish?
A: No, only the religious ceremony.

Q: Where is the parish?
A: Km 12 1/2 Carretera al Boquerón, Santa Tecla, La Libertad, El Salvador. Parking on site.

Q: How do I contact the parish?
A: WhatsApp +503 6028-1718, messages only.

## Links
- Website (ES): https://parroquiaonuva.pages.dev/
- Website (EN): https://parroquiaonuva.pages.dev/en/
- WhatsApp: https://wa.me/50360281718