Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations throughout the diocese

The live attendance numbers might have been restricted, but the devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe by faithful all across South Jersey’s Hispanic Catholic communities and beyond last weekend remained just as strong as ever, and maybe even more so. 

In a time of pandemic, through praise and thanksgiving, the Patroness of the Americas’ protection is desired by those young and old. Individuals remember her promises to Juan Diego, to whom she appeared five times at or near Tepeyac Hill in Mexico, starting on Dec. 12, 1531: “Let not your heart be troubled; do not fear that disease, or any other disease or anguish. Am I not here? Am I not your mother? Are you not under my protection?”

The celebrations, taking place from Camden to Hammonton, Bellmawr to Gibbsboro, meant “a lot to people,” said Jose Rodriguez, director of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries for the Diocese of Camden.

He participated in Divine Mercy Parish, Vineland’s festivities on the vigil evening and the feast day, which included Mass and “mananitas”— a traditional Mexican gathering that includes a procession, liturgy, colorful garb and energetic Mariachi musicians.

Both events were in keeping with masking and capacity regulations, and were livestreamed for at-home worshippers. The faithful, present phsically and virtually, “placed their worries and concerns in Our Lady of Guadalupe’s hands, so she could place them at her son Jesus’ feet,” Rodriguez added.

Livestreams of the vigil and feast throughout the Diocese of Camden kept those at home connected with Our Lady.

Last week, Pope Francis granted a plenary indulgence (remission of temporal punishment of sins) to these virtual viewers, provided they create a home altar to Our Lady of Guadalupe; watch the celebration at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City via livestream; and meet the three usual conditions for receiving a plenary indulgence — sacramental confession, the reception of holy Communion, and prayer for the pope’s intentions — once it is possible to do so.

“The people’s faith is shining strong now, through this (COVID-19) crisis,” said Claudia Trani-Melgar, director of communications at Swedesboro’s Saint Clare of Assisi Parish.

At Saint Joseph’s Church at the 6:30 p.m. vigil, “we tried to keep it simple,” she said, with a procession, rosary and liturgy. 

To keep the festive spirit and foster community, families were tasked with decorating three different tributes to Our Lady: the main altar statue, the altar in the parish hall and the Our Lady of Guadalupe grotto outside the church.

“This feast is very special to our hearts — this community is keeping the traditions to Our Lady strong,”  she said.

Other parish communities marked the feast in unique ways. In Camden, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception hosted a dramatization of Mary’s appearance to Juan Diego. Saint Joachim Parish, Bellmawr, held a nine-day novena on Zoom leading up to the feast day. 

At Our Lady of Guadalupe’s namesake shrine in Lindenwold, multiple vigil Masses were held at its two churches, Saint Luke in Stratford and Saint Lawrence in Lindenwold, in both Spanish and English. At 7 p.m. on Dec. 11, a procession with the image of Our Lady passed through the Lindenwold streets.

Andres Arango, Bishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry, remarked on the “enthusiasm still present” to Our Lady, not dimmed by the tough times.

“A lot of people feel a connection with her, some even more so now,” he said.