A congregation gradually gathered in the lower levels of The Grotto around a lighted figure of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the dark of a chilly and rainy morning. On December 12, hundreds of people came together to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, surrounded by a Mexican flag.
Aztec dancers welcomed guests to The Grotto, The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, in Northeast Portland at 5:30 a.m. with exuberant dancing and screams of viva la Virgen de Guadalupe (long live Our Lady of Guadalupe).
Hundreds gathered to celebrate the feast day, which is one of the most significant religious occasions for Latino Catholics, with prayer, dance, and music in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In Mexico, the day is customarily marked by processions and early morning festivities that attract thousands of pilgrims from over the nation.
In Spanish, Sister Lizbeth Nev rez of the Oblates of Santa Marta stated, “We Mexicans find ourselves celebrating our holiday in another country today on this special day.” But as Mexicans, we come together to celebrate this festival and to entrust our Mother of Guadalupe with the peace of Mexico and the globe.
San Juan Diego, a lowly Indigenous man in Mexico City, is said to have seen Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, 1531. The woman spoke to him in his own tongue and requested that a church be constructed in her honor. Since then, many cultures have been embraced and celebrated by Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is honored as the mother of all humanity.
According to The Grotto’s director, the Rev. Leo Hambur, Mother Mary is also bearing this hope. She was pregnant when she came to San Juan Diego, and it is encouraging for everyone, especially pregnant immigrant women who give birth in a manger-like setting.
During the feast day, Hambur highlighted the topic of hope for this year.
Pope Francis is still talking about hope in this world as we celebrate Advent, he remarked. We need hope in light of the ongoing conflict and the global brutality.
Although the festival is especially meaningful to Latinos, Catholics everywhere find resonance in it.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is in many different countries, Audifas Ruiz, an attendee at the celebration, said in Spanish. Due to the marvels she has performed, there are celebrations in other nations.
Ruiz participated in a pilgrimage to see Our Lady of Talpa Basilica in Jalisco, Mexico, earlier this year. He claimed that walking for three days was difficult but worthwhile.
“This year, we would like to return,” Ruiz added. For four or five days, let’s see if it works.
After the performances outside, visitors processed behind the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe into The Chapel of Mary, where they prayed the Rosary and celebrated Mass.
Hundreds gathered in The Chapel of Mary at The Grotto to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12.Profenna Chiara
The annual celebration at The Grotto has been growing for nearly five years since the introduction of a Spanish-language Mass. The event s success is thanks in part to dedicated volunteers like Maria Ramirez and her husband, Roberto, who coordinate the Hispanic Ministry at The Grotto.
I think that at all times we must venerate our mother, but today is a very special day for Mexicans when the apparitions occurred in Mexico, Ramirez said in Spanish.
Ramirez also highlighted the support from volunteers and the community, which makes the event possible.
It s nice that we have many volunteers who have always supported us and donated to us, said Ramirez. We are very blessed with the power to also give from what we receive from the community.
Following mass, attendees enjoyed pan dulce, tamales, pozole and champurrado.Profenna Chiara
After Mass, visitors gathered for a meal of pozole,tamales, pan dulce (sweet bread) and champurrado (a rich, spiced chocolate drink) in the auditorium beneath the chapel to exchange stories and nurture a shared devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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Chiara Profenna discusses faith, religion, and cultural ties. You may contact her at [email protected] or @chiara-profenna on BlueSky, or 503-221-4327.
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