CHARLOTTE — Thousands of parishioners demonstrated their faith and love for the Virgin of Guadalupe at dozens of celebrations held in churches across the diocese.
Festivities began in some cases on Sunday, Dec. 11, the eve of the feast day, with people staying up past midnight to sing “Las Mañanitas” to the “Virgen Morena.”
Some parishes remembered the Virgin of Guadalupe early Monday morning, while others scheduled their Masses and events in the afternoon and evening.
In Asheville, the Hispanic community came together for a vicariate-wide celebration Dec. 11 at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher. A procession, Mass officiated by Father Nohe Torres and several cultural events and performances culminated at 8 p.m.
In Charlotte, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish began its patronal feast day celebrations after sunset on Sunday.
Dances, recitation of the rosary, songs, a dramatic play about Mary’s apparitions to the native man St. Juan Diego, a procession, mariachi and Masses at various times took place over the course of more than 24 consecutive hours.
The central Mass, concelebrated by Father Leo Tiburcio, pastor; Father Hugo Medellín, parochial vicar; and Father Miguel Sánchez, parochial vicar of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte, was offered at 9 p.m.
At the beginning of the Mass, Father Medellín prayed that through the intercession of Mary, Catholics may deepen their faith and achieve the progress of peoples along the paths of justice and peace.
During his homily, Father Medellín reflected on Mary’s “fiat” or “yes” to God’s invitation to bear the Son of Man. After asking some questions to the angel at the Annunciation, Mary answered, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be fulfilled in me.”
“This ‘yes’ of Mary has much to do with us – with the way of our faith. Here in this community (and) in the universal Church, many people change their lives, turn to God, and give themselves to the mission of the Church,” he said.
Then, looking out at all the attendees at Mass, he commented that many people come back to church for this feast, but not regularly to church. “I want to ask them a question: What do you need to do to change your lives? And most importantly, what can we do to help you?”
Due to the large attendance expected, the organizers set up three large tents with TVs so more people could follow the celebrations. There was also an altar to the Virgin in the courtyard of the entrance to the church.
At the end of Mass, Father Tiburcio thanked attendees for their understanding in the face of difficulties. “Our church is very small, we have had to set up big tents.
Everything is full and many brothers are outside, cold, but they are still present to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe,” he said.
Mexico City native Antonieta Rueda, who attended accompanied by her two youngest children, was one of many people who left flowers before the image of Our
Lady of Guadalupe during the celebrations. “I have come to thank Our Lady for all the good and all the not so good things of this year,” Rueda said. “And I want to ask you to grant me health to continue working for them,” she added, referring to her children in her arms.
— César Hurtado. Photos provided.
