In Mexico a feast is celebrated on December 12th because that was the day that her image appeared miraculously on Juan Diego’s tilda. Even more miraculous is that the Virgin Mary’s image after 475 years has no visible signs of deterioration.
As a result many of Mexican decent feel obligated to give respects to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Millions of the faithful will gather in Catholic Churches for processions, prayers, songs, dances, and fireworks to honor the “Reina de Mexico” (Queen of Mexico).
Some are fortunate enough to make the pilgrimage to the Basilica where the actual image of the Virgin Mary appears. The pilgrims bring flowers and some walk on their knees to the Basilica in search of a miracle.
The Mexican government even made the day a national holiday in 1859 so that people could honor Our Lady of Guadalupe. In the United States as a result of people working on Dec. 12 when the day does not fall on a Sunday some Catholic Churches move the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe to a Sunday.
Father Jerry Pilon of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Moline says that he knows the celebration is predominately Mexican but that it is very important for the Hispanics in general. He said that every year the church is full during the mañanitas (Songs to Our Lady) and that 500 to 600 people attend the Spanish mass that day. He really likes the way the people decorate the church for the occasion. He hopes that this year the people decorate the church greater than or equal to the previous years.
Local events honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe are as follows:
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 412 10th St. Moline, Ill.
Sun. Dec. 10: Las mañanitas (Songs to Our Lady) – 6 a.m.
Breakfast after las mañanitas.
Mass in Spanish – Noon.
Food will be sold – 11a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebration with raffles, ballet folklorico, songs by the youth group, and a reenactment of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Saint Juan Diego after 2 p.m. For more information please call (309) 764-1562.
Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Catholic Church 800 17th St., Silvis, Ill.
Monday Dec. 11:Las mañanitas (Songs to Our Lady) – 10 a.m. A luncheon will follow.
Tuesday Dec. 12: Mass will be at 6:15 a.m., 8 a.m., and 6 p.m. After the 6 p.m. mass there will be a potluck celebration. For more information please call (309) 792-3867.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 516 Fillmore St., Davenport, Iowa.
Sunday Dec. 10: Mañanitas – 6:30 a.m.
After the mañanitas, a menudo breakfast will be served.
Special celebration at the Spanish Mass – 11 a.m. For more information please call (563) 322-3383.