Procession in honor of Virgin of Guadalupe draws thousands to downtown Phoenix
Thousands of parishioners took to downtown Phoenix streets on Saturday in the "Honor Your Mother" event, an early celebration of the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe in an enthusiastic and colorful procession through the rain.
María Elena Hernández was one of the many present, having started her morning enjoying the performances and attending the outdoor mass celebrated by Bishop John P. Dolan along Monroe Street, between Fifth and Third streets, in front of St. Mary's Basilica.
“I am all soaked and despite my years, this is something exciting, very big, very special. My faith moves me and keeps me going. It is because we love God and the Virgin that we venerated her, despite the weather," Hernández said.
Parishioners from across the Valley joined in the celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico, put on by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix.
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The colorful and musical event — made up of over 80 groups representing churches, dance troupes and musicians — kicked off the nine days of Novena of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Catholic observance that involves daily prayer and ends on the feast day for the patron saint of México, Dec. 12.
The feast commemorates the story of the Virgin Mary appearing to St. Juan Diego in 1531 on the site that is now home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in México City.
In México, the 9-day period is observed with daily processions, re-enactments and prayer, culminating in a celebration that starts with a mass at midnight on Dec. 12 and a festival-like celebration that lasts most of the day.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of devout Catholics make the pilgrimage to the Basilica in México City at the beginning of the Novena to pay homage to the saint.
Across Arizona, and the U.S., her veneration is just as strong and involves more than just Mexicans.
“The Virgin of Guadalupe unites us as a people and it is beautiful how they venerate her in different parts. I am from Gomez Palacio, Durango, (Mexico) and there it is also celebrated with many dances throughout December,” said Hernández, who alongside the dance troupe from the St. Vincent de Paul church in Phoenix, danced in honor of the Virgin.
Victor Briseño, a resident of Guadalupe, said his faith was strengthened in his native San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Upon arriving to Phoenix, he was relieved to see a strong following of the Virgin. Despite the rain, Briseño joined the procession dressed as St. Juan Diego, as is custom for many during these celebrations.
Dozens of floats, religious associations and multiple groups of dancers braved the cold December weather to show their love for the Virgin of Tepeyac on a journey of several blocks.
“I am Catholic, but my Native American parents never taught me anything about the Virgin of Guadalupe. It wasn't until I married my husband, who is originally from Mexico, that I learned that she is our mother… the mother of all of us. Now I want to transmit that faith to my children,” said Cristal Perfil, who joined the procession accompanied by her two little ones.
Like many others, Perfil celebrates every Dec. 12 by waking at dawn and singing "Las Mañanitas," (Mexican song in honor of someone's birthday or feast day), joining in prayer and feasting with loved ones. "That is a long day at my house, with champurrado, tamales, family and a lot of faith," Perfil said.
This year marked the 18th annual procession hosted by the diocese. The pandemic only prevented one from happening in 2020.
Last year's procession saw between 3 and 4,000 attendees, according to the diocese. They anticipated that number to increase to at least 5,000 this time around, a spokesperson said Friday.