Honoring our lady

By Carla Hinton, The Oklahoman

Published: November 16, 2008

A procession, nine days of Mass, singing and praise are all designed to honor the revered patron saint of the Americas on her Feast Day Dec. 12.

Several area Catholic churches start their celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, also known as the Virgen of Guadalupe, on Dec. 3 with the novenas – nine days of daily Mass leading up to her Feast Day.

The Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Advertisement

“She’s just very dear to everybody in Mexico and in each of the Americas; everybody is very devout to her,” said Gloria Pantazis, coordinator of the Hispanic ministry at St. Eugene’s Catholic Church.

Tradition holds that she first appeared to a peasant man, Juan Diego, in 1531, and millions of worshippers thro ughout Latin America participate in public demonstrations of adoration on Dec. 12.

At St. Eugene’s, parishioners will wake up Our Lady with “Las Mañanitas” at 5:30 a.m. They’ll sing to her and then go to the Fellowship Hall for hot chocolate. That night, a 7 p.m. Mass will start with a procession, candles and lots of songs, Pantazis said.

At Little Flower Catholic Church, parishioners will celebrate the novenas with processions, or peregrinaciones, on different days, in addition to the nine days of Mass. On Dec. 4, all of the youth confirmation classes will walk the streets near the church before Mass that starts at 7 p.m. The youth will then host the Mass that evening. The second procession will take place Dec. 11, said Sister Guadalupe Ortíz of Little Flower Catholic Church.

On Dec. 12 at Little Flowers, Our Lady of Guadalupe will be celebrated first with the mañanitas and then a 7 p.m. Mass.

For information about other celebrations, contact your local parish.

Your thoughts!