Brooklyn’s Mexican, Latin American communities celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe

December 13, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Costumed liturgical dancers lead the processional for one of the Masses celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of Catholics in Mexico and Latin America. Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

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PROSPECT HEIGHTS — MEMBERS OF BROOKLYN’S MEXICAN COMMUNITY gathered to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Thursday, Dec. 12, during two Masses held at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph. More than three thousand pilgrims, representing over 50 Catholic parishes, participated in this annual tradition that honors the patron saint of Mexico. Even though the cathedral can hold 1,500 people, two Masses were offered: a morning liturgy for the Queens parishes and an afternoon one for the Brooklyn parishes. Each group did its own procession route through their respective boroughs.

Bishop Robert Brennan lights the torches that were then carried in procession around Brooklyn during an afternoon Mass celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe. The celebration has become a Brooklyn tradition.Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Brooklyn. — Bishop Robert Brennan lights the torches that were then carried in procession around Brooklyn during an afternoon Mass celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe. The celebration has become a Brooklyn tradition.
Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is an honorific given to the Virgin Mary after she appeared to an indigenous peasant, Juan Diego, in 1531. According to tradition, she left an image of herself imprinted on his cloak as a sign of her divine presence. Her apparition is seen as a symbol of faith, unity, and protection, particularly for indigenous peoples in Mexico and Latin America.

This event was organized by Father Baltazar Sanchez Alonzo, Director of the Mexican Apostolate. An estimated 175,000 people of Mexican descent live in Brooklyn and Queens.

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