Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrated

Intermountain Catholic

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Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Salt Lake City Dec. 17, singing traditional songs on a procession in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe that ended with a Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

SALT LAKE CITY — Hundreds of people from different nationalities gathered on Dec. 17 in the Cathedral of the Madeleine to commemorate the 479th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s appearance to Saint Juan Diego at Tepeyac in Mexico. Pope John Paul II named her patron of the Americas in 1999; her feast day is Dec. 12 but because this year that day was the third Sunday of Advent the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City held celebrations in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 10 and Dec. 11.

The festivities included a celebration of St. Juan Diego, a candlelight procession through the streets near the cathedral, vigil, mañanitas (a Spanish version of birthday songs) with a mariachi band, a Mass, and a reception for the Virgin.

"When we are lost, she is the star that will help us find the road to God," said Father Eleazar Silva, parochial vicar of the Cathedral of the Madeleine. "That star is our mother and we all are going to be together in our hearts."

On Dec. 17 at 9:30 p.m., people started gathering in the Cathedral’s plaza, lighting candles and preparing to start the procession, which was guided by the most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City, Fr. Silva and others.

Thirty children from the catechism group of the Cathedral were in charge of carrying standards.

"I love to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe because my parents taught me to," said Jacqueline Rivera, a young adult who participated in the procession.

Singing "Desde el cielo una hermosa mañana, a Guadalupana, la guadalupana bajo al Tepeyac…" (from heaven a beautiful morning, the Lady of Guadalupe came from Tepeyac) hundreds of Catholics started their walk along the streets surrounding the cathedral, filled with joy at celebrating their mother.

"My parents and grandparents used to always go to celebrate her in the church and now it is part of me," said Jazmine Camacho, a Hispanic youth leader. "To celebrate her – it’s something very beautiful."

The procession was welcomed at the cathedral by the sound of a tambora, which was followed by "Amor eterno" ("Eternal Love") performed by a mariachi band.

People gathered in the cathedral sang the lyrics along with the mariachi.

"The devotion that we have to the Virgin is very big, I had the fortune to work in the Shrine (to Our Lady of Guadalupe) in Mexico City and it has been one of the greatest experiences," said Mary Jose de Alba, a Cathedral parishioner, adding that "to see the devotion and the love for our mother is amazing."

Even non-Catholics were touched during the celebration. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members Phill Kaplan and his wife, Koprina, were amazed by the energy that filled the church. "It’s great that people believe and celebrate the way they do," Kaplan said.

The devotion of Hispanics and Latinos to the Virgin of Guadalupe, especially among the Mexican community, has spread to where the veneration and devotion to the Virgin Mary is a staple among Catholics around the world, most notably in the Americas.

"When we feel sad or worried she is the one that helps us because with her holy mantle she shelters and protects us," de Alba said.

The Cathedral of the Madeleine was just one church in the diocese that celebrated the Virgin of Guadalupe festivity. During the three days of celebration people prayed, cried, sang, shared, danced, clapped, but above all thanked the Virgin for being their mother and for guiding them to God.