Unity celebrated during Our Lady of Guadalupe festivities

Standing under a tent to block himself from the rain, Elian Mercado said he wasn’t nervous about the task ahead the evening of Dec. 11: portraying Saint Juan Diego in the re-enactment of the Our Lady of Guadalupe apparition.

“I know my lines, and I’m excited,” said Mercado, of Saint Joan of Arc Church, a worship site of Sacred Heart Parish, Camden.

Crediting Mary for his steadfastness, and encouraging others to learn more about her, the high school junior said, “As the Mother of Jesus Christ, she can help you in any situation.”

Thousands of faithful in parishes across the Diocese celebrated the Blessed Mother Dec. 11-12 for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. From processions and cultural music, dances and food, to Rosary prayers and Masses, parishioners honored the Patroness of the Americas and urged others to learn more about her 16th century appearance to a humble peasant in Mexico, which led to the conversion of millions.

“La Guadalupana, La Guadalupana, la Guadalupana bajó al Tepeyac,” sang nearly 100 from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine, as they processed after the Vigil Mass from Saint Luke Church to the church in Lindenwold. Walking through neighborhoods and streets blocked off by police, parishioners sang, prayed and carried Guadalupe statues for more than a mile.

Father René Canales, pastor, called the event unifying – for the Latino and English-speaking parish members, and also for the police departments and officials who worked together to help make the procession possible.

“That’s the effort of the Blessed Mother – it’s not only within the church, it’s within the community.”

Reflecting on the homily given earlier by Father Adam Cichoski, parochial vicar and diocesan director of vocations, Father Canales spoke of Saint Juan Diego’s astonishment of being visited by the Virgin Mary.

“Even Juan Diego asks, ‘Why me?’ And the Blessed Mother says, ‘Am I not your mother?’ Meaning she saw something in his heart,” Father Canales said. “That shows that when we are humble before God, greatness comes.”

That was something in which parishioner Juliet Njoku could relate. “Our Lady of Guadalupe represents motherhood. The fact that she appeared as a pregnant woman means so much. I always look to draw strength from her as a mother because you feel like she went out of her way to connect with us in this time. When we hear about Mary, it can feel a little detached as the mother of God. But she had to come to us as one of us, and that means so much.

“She is for us – the ordinary common people, not just for the hierarchy,” the mother of two continued. “She chose somebody who ordinarily wouldn’t have been noticed. That’s her humility. It tells us that everybody matters to a mother, and to Christ.”

Members of the parish council agreed, discussing Mother Mary as they hoisted an iconic image of her onto their shoulders for the procession.

“She stands for unity, and she’s an inspiration for all of us. We’re a multicultural community with families from South America, Central America and North America. We’re all here together as one,” parishioner Chuck Cutter said.

 “She crosses all the cultural boundaries. She appeals to everybody. She prays for everyone who is in need,” said fellow parishioner Mike Chezik as his friend John McLaughlin added, “She’s there for all of us, from conception to natural death.”

Over in Camden, meanwhile, as Mercado got ready to perform as Saint Juan Diego, parishioners recited Rosary prayers after returning from their own rainy procession around Saint Joan of Arc Church. The celebrations, including Mass, went into the early morning hours of Dec. 12, and the smell of tamales and other native foods hung in the air.

“It’s something we do with all our hearts and passion. It’s a way to give back for what we receive in blessings,” parishioner Laura Herrera said of the festivities.

Herrera, who helped plan the event, said the celebration was a way to unite those of all ages. The youngsters in the Guadalupe play ranged from ages 6 to 16.

Encouraging others to attend next year’s event, Herrera said, “Catholic is universal, so come next year.”