Thousands gather in devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe (1)
December 11, 2012
HOUSTON — Drums, costumes, music and dancing of centuries old Mexican tradition filled the streets of downtown Houston on Dec. 2 — all in an expression of devotion and thanksgiving to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas.
The 37th annual city-wide celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe united thousands of people from across the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to celebrate and rejoice on the vigil of the anniversary of the Virgin Mary’s appearance to the humble Mexican peasant Juan Diego in 1581. The actual feast day is Dec. 12.
The event began with a procession from the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to the George R. Brown Convention Center where festivities continued with scores of matachines, or indigenous folk dance troupes, mariachis and other singers.
“This was another great celebration of the feast in honor of the Mother of God and the Mother of all Christians,” said Gilberto Heredia, president of the Guadalupana Association of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. “Each year, participation grows. This year commemorates the 481st year since the apparition of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Mexico; it continues to be a big event under the direction of the Guadalupe Association with the support and guidance of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and the Office of Hispanic Ministries.
A Mass followed at the convention center celebrated by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo. Auxiliary Bishop George A. Sheltz and Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza also joined in the celebration.