ARCHBISHOP GOMEZ CALLS THE FAITHFUL TO REFLECT ON THEIR PERSONAL PILGRIMAGE TOWARD HEAVEN DURING THE CELEBRATION TO HONOR OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
December 1, 2024  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

–The 93rd Guadalupe Procession and Mass was attended by thousands of Southern California families, parish and school communities–

Archbishop José H. Gomez called on the faithful to take the hand of Our Lady of Guadalupe and allow her to lead them closer to her son, Jesus, today during the annual outdoor Mass in East Los Angeles – the culmination of the 93rd Procession honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego also marking the first day of Advent. Themed “Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Eucharist,” the Procession and Mass commemorated the 493rd anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the peasant St. Juan Diego.

“Today’s procession gives us the opportunity to think about the journey of our Christian life. Our lives are a pilgrimage through this world. We are on a journey towards Our Father’s home – the kingdom of heaven,” said Archbishop Gomez during the homily he delivered at East Los Angeles College Stadium. “We take Our Holy Mother’s, Our Lady of Guadalupe, hand and she guides us in following the footsteps of her son Jesus.”

The annual procession through the streets of East Los Angeles included more than 20,000 faithful; 35 “andas,” or decorated handmade carts with framed images or statues of the Virgin of Guadalupe brought by families and parish groups; various parish Guadalupano groups and equestrian troupes; students from local Catholic schools; and 37 Aztec dance groups who offer their movements as a prayer for the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

“So today, in a special way, let us renew our desire for growth in our friendship with Jesus – guided by Mary and following the His path for our lives. His path of love which leads us towards happiness and to heaven,” said Archbishop Gomez.

Starting in mid-October, the images of Our Lady of Guadalupe, known as La Peregrina, and Saint Juan Diego began a pilgrimage to visit 40 parishes and Catholic cemeteries, where hundreds of faithful had the opportunity of veneration. The pilgrimage will continue through December 4 with visits to parishes across the San Gabriel Valley at St. Anthony in San Gabriel on Dec. 2; St. Joseph in La Puente on Dec. 3 and St. Luke in Temple City on Dec. 4.

The celebration is the oldest religious procession in L.A., as it was established by Mexican Catholics who fled persecution by the Mexican government during the Cristero War in 1931. The annual celebration commemorating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe recalls the miraculous apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Saint Juan Diego at Tepeyac Hill, Mexico City, in December 1531, when she left her image on his “tilma” or cloak. Her image has been a symbol of unity, peace, compassion, and hope for people around the world.

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and one of St. Juan Diego in today’s procession were gifts hand-delivered yesterday by the Rector of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Archdiocese of Mexico City, Monsignor Efrain Hernandez Diaz; and the first rector of the Basilica, Monsignor Diego Monroy. These images along with a second exact replica of the original in Mexico are gifts to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as a symbol of unity between the two Archdioceses as preparations are underway for the years leading up to the 500th anniversary of the miracles of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 2031.

For more information about the pilgrimage, visit lacatholics.org/guadalupe. To support this annual celebration honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego, click here.

NOTE: Full video of the Mass to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe is available at https://lacatholics.org/guadalupe/ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClSCAvd11sc. Please credit: Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

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