• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Participants carry festive flowers during a Dec. 9 celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Sacred Heart of Jesus-Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Highlandtown. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Archdiocese of Baltimore celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe

December 12, 2018
By Emily Rosenthal Alster
Filed Under: Feature, Hispanic Ministry, Local News, News

Parishioners reenact an apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe during a Dec. 9 Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus-Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Highlandtown. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Pews at Sacred Heart of Jesus-Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Highlandtown were packed with faithful eager to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 9.

The predominantly-Hispanic congregation clapped along to a vibrant opening procession, which included traditional dress and dancing. New statues depicting Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego kneeling at her feet were carried in and placed beneath the altar. Donated by parishioners, the images were blessed at the end of Mass by Archbishop William E. Lori.

Archbishop Lori delivered the homily in Spanish, discussing the importance of the Guadalupe apparition and how it helped spread the gospel in Mexico.

“When the Virgin Mother of God appeared to St. Juan Diego, the inhabitants of Mexico suffered a lot – they were first conquered by the Aztecs and shortly after by the Spaniards,” Archbishop Lori said. “They were depressed; few indigenous people wanted to accept the gospel and receive baptism.”

But, the archbishop continued, the Blessed Mother told St. Juan Diego that she was his protector, and that nothing should frighten him.

“Encouraged by the love and protection of the Virgin, Juan Diego fulfilled his mission,” Archbishop Lori said. “The gospel began to spread rapidly in the country.”

Archbishop Lori called on the faithful to do the same in their communities.

“I have been sent to you as your archbishop – I call you to collaborate with me in making Christ known to those who do not know him or who are far from him: with your family and friends, your neighbors and your co-workers and school,” the archbishop said. “Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world and many remain in misery because they do not know him.”

“Help me, brothers, to invite them to put their faith in Christ and to become his disciples.”

After communion, children carried garlands and single stems of roses, and reenacted the apparition, where Our Lady appeared as an Aztec princess to St. Juan Diego, a convert, in 1531 on Tepeyac Hill near Mexico City.

Story continues below after photo slideshow.

[metaslider id=117998]

 

Opening and closing processions included “Danza Guadalupana,” a traditional dance group that included elaborate costumes and traditional clothing. The dance was a reference to the Aztecs and how before Guadalupe, they worshipped other gods, but after, the Gospel spread and Catholicism became the popular religion.

Dec. 9 is St. Juan Diego’s feast, the anniversary of the first Guadalupe apparition. The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated Dec. 12. Many parishes throughout the archdiocese will offer Masses in honor of the feast day.

Redemptorist Father Bruce Lewandowski, pastor, stressed the importance of Our Lady of Guadalupe as a symbol not just for Latin America.

“She shouldn’t just be (important) for our church, but for all the churches because she appeared in the Americas,” he said. “What she represents as far as evangelization and a call to follow Christ is important to all people.”

Sacred Heart of Jesus-Sagrado Corazón de Jesús’ celebrations will culminate with morning and evening Masses and feasts Dec. 12, the anniversary of the second and final apparition.

Father Lewandowski’s favorite part of the Guadalupe celebrations is “Las Mañanitas,” songs sung to Our Lady in the church at 4 a.m. on her feast day. He said parishioners want to begin the feast day serenading her, and they bring flowers and candles.

The Dec. 12 celebrations will continue with a 6 a.m. Mass, followed by a breakfast, and a 7 p.m. Mass followed by a reception featuring traditional Mexican food and cultural presentations at Sacred Heart of Jesus-Corazón de Jesús.

Dolores Suarez and her husband, Angel, were among the parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus-Corazón de Jesús who planned the celebrations. It was the first parish activity they got involved in when they joined the parish 18 years ago.

A native of Tecomán, Colima, Mexico, Dolores thanks her grandmother for exposing her to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Her grandmother, she said, would always make sure the family was praying the rosary and novenas in preparation for her feast day.

“I grew up loving her as the mother of us,” Dolores said. “When I feel sad, when I feel hopeless, I know there’s someone there to take care of my prayers.”

Angel said bringing up their children, Andrew, 16, and Aislinn, 14, in the church is very important as it is part of their background, and also a way to teach them the important things in life.

“If you don’t (teach them faith), what are you going to teach your kids?” Angel said.

Dolores said being raised in faith was important to her, but that it is equally important individuals – including her teenaged children – to develop their own devotion.

“We are given a choice. This is what I believe in part because my parents passed it to me,” she said, adding that her own faith journey has led her devotion to become stronger. “I feel it; I know it.”

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Emily Rosenthal Alster

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Pope Leo to return to practice of ‘imposing’ pallium on new archbishops

  • Archbishop Lori announces appointments, including pastor and associate pastor assignments

  • Pope’s brother says even as a baby, future pontiff had a spiritual ‘air’ about him

  • Diversity is cause for strength, not division, pope tells Rome clergy

  • Prodigal son to priest

| Latest Local News |

Prodigal son to priest

Radio Interview: Books and Authors: Inspiring Trailblazers

Future priest from Congo has a heart of service

Sister Joan Minella, former principal and pastoral life director, dies

Archbishop Lori offers encouragement to charitable agencies affected by federal cuts

| Latest World News |

High court sends Catholic groups’ challenge to N.Y. abortion-coverage mandate back to state courts

Religious Liberty Commission examines imperiled Native American sacred site, mandatory reporter law

As ‘new nightmare’ unfolds between Israel and Iran, ‘never-ending tragedy’ in Gaza continues

Pope asks Italian bishops to proclaim the Gospel, teach peace

Pope Leo XIV will escape Rome’s heat in July by going to papal villa

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • High court sends Catholic groups’ challenge to N.Y. abortion-coverage mandate back to state courts
  • Religious Liberty Commission examines imperiled Native American sacred site, mandatory reporter law
  • As ‘new nightmare’ unfolds between Israel and Iran, ‘never-ending tragedy’ in Gaza continues
  • Thank you to a one-of-a-kind teacher
  • Pope asks Italian bishops to proclaim the Gospel, teach peace
  • Pope Leo XIV will escape Rome’s heat in July by going to papal villa
  • Almost half of U.S. adults have Catholic connection, but Mass makes significant difference in Catholic identity
  • Prodigal son to priest
  • U.S. bishop calls for ardent prayer, diplomacy as Israel-Iran strikes continue

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED