Devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe is as strong as ever. More pilgrims visit her shrine annually in Mexico City than all the visitors to Vatican City in Rome. A historic number of people—12.5 million—visited the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December 2022.
Likewise, in the United States millions will pack churches and take to the streets in processions on Dec. 12 to share their Guadalupan joy and to petition their mother to bless their lives as she blessed Juan Diego’s five centuries ago.
Father Francisco Gomez, S.T., pastor of Our Lady of Soledad in Coachella, California, which hosts one of the biggest celebrations, said,
For myself, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a joyful protest. If society says you have no hope, we stand up and we party, and we say we have the Lord. There is hope.”
Watch the video below to see how Catholic Extension Society supports millions of devotees to Our Lady of Guadalupe, from Alaska to Puerto Rico and throughout the United States.
Almost 500 years ago in modern-day Mexico, an Indigenous man named Juan Diego had visions of a celestial woman. She told him, “Am I not here, I, who am your mother?” Upon her fourth appearance in as many days, she instructed him to pick roses—flowers that were not native to Mexico and not in season—gather them in his tilma (cloak) and bring them to the bishop to prove that she had appeared.
When Juan Diego opened his tilma to reveal the roses to the bishop, a magnificent image of the pregnant, brown-skinned mother was imprinted on the cloth. This occurred on Dec. 12, 1531. The artifact still exists today and is one of the most recognized religious icons throughout the world.
Our Lady of Guadalupe’s assurance of maternal love from heaven continues to serve as a message of hope to all who suffer, especially those whose human dignity has been trampled upon, like Juan Diego’s Indigenous people in their Spanish-occupied land.
She continues to be celebrated today. Below are some additional amazing photographs of recent celebrations we have captured throughout the years.
Diocese of Ponce, Puerto Rico
Last year, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Ponce, Puerto Rico, hosted its annual morning celebration in honor of its patroness.
Diocese of Stockton, California
A girl danced her Guadalupan joy at the Diocese of Stockton’s massive Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration in California in 2013, an annual event supported by Catholic Extension Society.
Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico
In 2018, faithful climbed Tortugas Mountain in the Diocese of Las Cruces to celebrate Mass and ask for Our Lady of Guadalupe’s intercession.
Diocese of Yakima, Washington
Despite a dark night, families’ spirits were bright as they honored Our Lady at St. Joseph Church in the Diocese of Yakima.
Diocese of Amarillo, Texas
Texas Catholics danced down the street in honor of Our Lady in Amarillo in 2014.
Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas
Parishioners expressed their faith and culture at the newly constructed St. Luke’s Church in Warren, Arkansas. It was built with Catholic Extension Society support and dedicated on December 12, 2019.
Laura Morgado, a young adult leader from the diocese, says she is grateful to share in the joy with other faithful:
Living the experience of a celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe has made an enormous impact on my faith and traditions.”
Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana
In 2010, young women danced down their parish aisle in a vibrant display of devotion to Our Lady in southern Louisiana.
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