„Atlaidai” in Los Angeles

While the Jubilee Year of Hope drew to a close in 2025, our pilgrimage of faith and hope continues in the New Year at St. Casimir’s as we celebrate the 85^th anniversary of our religious freedom and the 75^th anniversary of the church consecration.

Through the initiative of Prelatas Julius Maciejauskas and with the permission of the local archbishop, the first services for Lithuanian refugees were held on June 1, 1941 in the west side of Los Angeles, thus officially establishing St. Casimir Parish. Ten years later, with God’s unending graces and the cooperative efforts of our ancestors under the leadership of Prelatas Jonas Kuczingis, a church was built in the Los Feliz District and dedicated on November 4, 1951.

St. Casimir Church would serve as the sanctuary of Lithuanian immigrants and their families in the West coast. It is here where they are able to meet Christ and freely practice their Catholic faith, their children learn history and language, their traditions shared in a city of diverse cultures.  

It has become a sacred place of beautiful memories for generations of Lithuanians in America – baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals and a variety of festivities; a center of faith and culture and a gathering place for families, neighbors and friends.

In preparation for these two important Jubilees, may we invite every Lithuanian, especially the organizations, as well as the other parishioners who come to our church, to participate in Atlaidai 2026 – a significant religious and cultural event held in villages, since the thirteenth century to celebrate the anniversary of a church consecration or another sacred occasion. For the first time in Los Angeles, we will hold this Atlaidaitradition to commemorate the establishment of St. Casimir Parish and the dedication of St. Casimir Church. 

From June – November 2026, there will be scheduled Solemn Masses, processions, prayers, devotions, family reunions and communal gatherings. We invite the different Lithuanian organizations or groups to host bazaars, food, crafts, exhibits of photographs, art works or national costumes and hold concerts or presentations of Lithuanian folk dances. 

Let us give thanks to the Almighty for our religious freedom, celebrate our traditions and share our joys with the diverse cultural communities of our city. Together, we are one family of God!