Mas

All > Mi Vida
Más staff
Topics:
Posted by gabe Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 276 times
0 responses 0 comments On Sunday and Monday, many local Latinos will pay tribute to La Virgen de Guadalupe, the brown-skinned Virgin Mary who has come to symbolize faith, pride, and belief for what is right.

They will attend Mass or participate in events and marches to show their devotion.

“This day is about honoring the mother of Jesus,” said Risto Rubio, an active member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. “These celebrations show that even back then women played an active role in the lives of everyone.”

At Our Lady of Guadalupe Church as well as other Catholic parishes, an early Mass will be held in her honor. Some even plan on singing “Las Mañanitas” and participating in other cultural activities.

“We celebrate this day because La Virgen is the mother of our country and our church,” said Cruz Ramos, dance director for St. Augustine Church festivities in Lamont. “In other words she made it possible for Jesus Christ to live with us.”

While most churches have Mass in her honor, some go as far as having processions through the town, including St. Augustine in Lamont and St. Thomas Church in Arvin.

La Virgen’s origin goes back a few centuries. On Dec. 12, 1531, La Virgen appeared before Juan Diego, an indigenous Mexican, and asked for a temple to be built in her name. As proof for others, she placed an image of herself on Juan Diego’s pancho.

“It all goes back to our belief that the mother of our Lord appeared to Juan Diego, which began the conversion of the indigenous people in Mexico,” said Father Carlos Esquivel of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

Since then millions of people have gathered in December at the temple built in Tepeyac, Mexico to celebrate, sing and dance and make offerings in the Virgen’s name.

Her image also has been used as a way to show pride in being Latino as well as promoting many causes, including rights for farmworkers or women’s independence, local Hispanics said.

Whether you stay at home and light a candle or attend one of the processions through Arvin or Lamont, Hispanics encourage others to take time out to praise her.

“We are celebrating the day when the Virgen appeared to Juan Diego,” said Frank Cadena, event coordinator for St. Thomas Church. “The Virgen is the patron saint of Mexico and it is important that we thank her for all that she has given us throughout the year.”

Virgen de Guadalupe Events
Procession in Lamont, Dec. 11
12 p.m., St. Augustine, 10601 Myrtle Ave. in Lamont.

Procession in Arvin, Dec. 11
11 a.m. beginning at the corner of Comanche Drive and Bear Mountain Boulevard and ending at St. Thomas Church. Mass, 12 p.m. and entertainment, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Entertainment includes music, folkloric dancers and dancing horses at 350 E. Bear Mountain Boulevard.

Morning Mass, Dec. 12,
St. Joseph’s Church, 1515 Baker St.
5 a.m. mañanitas followed by a 6 a.m. Mass

Morning Mass, Dec. 12,
Our Lady of Guadalupe, 604. E. California Ave.
4 a.m. mañanitas followed by a 5:30 a.m. Mass

Morning Mass, Dec. 12,
St. Augustine, 10601 Myrtle Ave. in Lamont
5 a.m. mañanitas, 5:30 a.m. Mass, 6:30 a.m. entertainment and free Mexican bread and hot chocolate.

Menudo Cook-off, Dec. 18, at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 604 E. California Ave.,
Cooking, 8 a.m. Event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature food and family activities, including a car raffle. Funds will be used for the building of the new church.

Send to a Friend

Report a Violation