Wearing an image of the Virgen de Guadalupe on his chasuble, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio presided over the diocesan celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of Mexico, at St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Prospect Heights, Dec. 12. Nearly 3,000 Mexican-Americans and Guadalupe devotees from 50 parishes attended the noontime Mass, celebrated in Spanish.

Special concelebrants included Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros, vicar for Hispanic concerns, who preached the homily; Msgr. Kieran Harrington, co-cathedral rector; and Father Jorge Ortiz, moderator of ministry to Mexican-Americans and coordinator of the celebration.

Prior to the Mass, Father Ortiz read Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio’s pastoral letter to immigrants in the diocese. (Click here to read.)

Among the highlights at the diocesan celebration were Mariachi music, provided by the Mariachi Nuevo Sol, and Aztec dancing. After Mass, Bishop DiMarzio lit torches that the faithful carried on foot to their home parishes, where festivities continued.

This year marks the 485th anniversary of the Guadalupe apparition to Juan Diego.

(Photos: Marie Elena Giossi)