Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations span three days

St. Mary’s Parish in Greensboro (Photo by César Hurtado)

CHARLOTTE — Parishioners across the Diocese of Charlotte demonstrated their devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe at celebrations held at dozens of churches last week. Some festivities even began on Sunday, Dec. 10, continuing for three days into the feast day on Dec. 12.

In keeping with one of the most revered and widely celebrated holy feast days in Mexico, many people stayed up into the early hours of the morning on Dec. 11 to sing “Las Mañanitas” to Our Blessed Mother.

Some parishes honored Our Lady of Guadalupe early the next morning with novenas and singing, while others celebrated Masses and held traditional music and dancing in the evening.

Greensboro

St. Mary’s Parish in Greensboro began its celebrations on Dec. 11 with special novenas and devotions and continued on into the next day with Mass. The day concluded with singing, traditional folk dances and a reenactment of Our Lady’s apparition to St. Juan Diego, along with delicious food including tamales and hot atole.

Azucena Lara, director of the day’s performances, commented that the almost 30 members, including children and adults, worked intensely in a short time to be able to offer two dances in honor of Our Blessed Mother.

“For us it is a way of thanking Our Lady and God for everything they do for us, for everything she gives us. This is a simple thing, this is offering a small sacrifice,” Lara said. “We are proud, and happy to see that when we bring our traditions here (to the United States), they are not lost, and we pass them down to our children.”

The reenactment of Our Lady’s apparitions to St. Juan Diego was also very moving, including handmade costumes and a set that alternated with each scene.

During the Mass, Father Eric Sanchez, parochial vicar, drew a parallel between St. Juan Diego and the Gospel, which narrated Mary’s encounter with her pregnant cousin, Elizabeth.

Our Lady, he said, came to help Elizabeth just as she later came to help Juan Diego and all the people of God.

“I am struck by Our Lady’s words when she says that she is here, that she is our mother,” Father Sanchez said. “Let us place ourselves in the hands of the Virgin Mary.”

High Point

At Christ the King Parish in High Point, parishioners gathered in the parish hall Dec. 12 to pray the rosary in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe and attend a special Mass celebrated by their pastor, Father Joseph Dinh.
They held a large celebration afterward with Mexican food, mariachi music, singing, dancing, and religious items for sale. Children and adults alike dressed in traditional attire, such as replicas of St. Juan Diego’s tilma imprinted with an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Hispanic community held a raffle where participants won prizes, and Father Dinh gave a special blessing for the children.

“The congregation appreciated the children who dressed as St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe,” said Sisters Vinaya and Josna of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, who serve at the parish. “In preparation for the feast, many members of the Hispanic community and sisters gathered at the parish center to decorate the image of the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe.”

Reidsville

At Holy Infant Parish in Reidsville, more than 300 parishioners filed into the church for a standing room-only Mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

After the entrance hymn, a joyful devotion to Our Lady, Father Frank Seabo, pastor, paused and smiled as he looked out at the congregation.

“You can feel the Holy Spirit among us tonight,” Father Seabo said. “What a beautiful evening to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, with all of these flowers and music and our whole parish family here together.”

In his homily, Father Seabo preached on Our Lady’s words, saying, “Our Mother told Juan Diego, ‘Listen, let nothing frighten and afflict you or trouble your heart. Am I not here, I, who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow?’ Our Blessed Mother is here with us, she is here to intercede and care for us. Do we listen?”

After Mass, parishioners clad in colorful costumes gave a performance of folk dances and songs, and they shared a grand meal of traditional foods.

Albemarle

Festivities began at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Albemarle on Dec. 10, following Mass. Parishioners gathered for dances and songs, and they shared traditional foods, including homemade tamales.

Asheville

In Asheville, the Hispanic community of Immaculate Conception Parish and the entire vicariate of Asheville celebrated with great joy and faith on Dec. 10 at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher.

Nearly 1,200 people participated in the procession, Mass, and cultural celebration that is convened annually in a joint effort of Immaculate Conception Parish and the Hispanic Ministry office of the Asheville Vicariate.
One of the biggest and most beloved feast days dedicated to Mary, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, recalls her appearance on Dec. 12, 1531, to St. Juan Diego on Mt. Tepayac in Mexico.

Over the centuries, the feast has become one of the largest annual celebrations in Mexico, and Mexican Americans have brought the tradition here. The feast is observed with special Masses, songs, dancing, music, processions, and live representations of Mary’s appearance.

The story of her appearance nearly 500 years ago to St. Juan Diego is a testament to faith and devotion, according to Pope Francis. In a speech about evangelization on Aug. 23, the pope called Our Lady of Guadalupe a shining example of motherhood and a model of faith for all people.

“Our Lady always chooses those who are simple, on the hill of Tepayac in Mexico as at Lourdes and Fatima,” he said.

“Speaking to them, she speaks to everyone, in a language suitable for all, comprehensible like that of Jesus.”

— Spencer K.M. Brown and César Hurtado. Photos by César Hurtado, Troy Hull, Amber Mellon and provided

Students at Our Lady of Grace School celebrated with a live presentation of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s story told by the 8th grade.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church High Point.

Celebrations begin at Our Lady of Lourdes in Monroe.

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe morning celebration at Good Shepherd in King.

At Asheville Catholic School they celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe by by inviting the Aztec Dancers to perform. The performers include Latino community members as well as current and former ACS students.

Celebration at St. John Baptist de la Salle Church in North Wilkesboro included Mass, dances, dancing and parish fellowship.

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe morning celebration at Good Shepherd in King.

Celebration at St. John Baptist de la Salle Church in North Wilkesboro included Mass, dances, dancing and parish fellowship.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Our Lady of Guadalupe in Charlotte celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Our Lady of Guadalupe in Charlotte celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Students at Our Lady of the Assumption School celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

St. Michael School in Gastonia students dive into classical education, crafting projects that honor Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Students at Our Lady of the Assumption School celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Our Lady of Guadaulpe celebrations in Asheville included a procession, followed by Mass, Mañanitas, dancing, and representation of the Guadalupan apparitions.

Students at Our Lady of the Assumption School celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Our Lady of Guadaulpe celebrations in Asheville included a procession, followed by Mass, Mañanitas, dancing, and representation of the Guadalupan apparitions.