Thirty-seven parishes participated in the diocesan celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 12 at St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Prospect Heights. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio was the main celebrant as more than 3,000 people of Mexican origins filled the church to capacity with an overflow crowd out onto Pacific St. Following the Mass, which was concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishops Octavio Cisneros and James Massa, and priests who serve the Mexican community, Bishops DiMarzio and Cisneros lit torches that parishioners carried through the streets back to their home churches in Brooklyn and Queens. Prior to the Mass, there was a display of ethnic dances. The festive music at the liturgy was performed by a Mariachi band. The event was organized by Father Jorge Ortiz, moderator of ministry to Mexican-Americans, and pastor of St. Brigid’s parish, Bushwick.

(Photos by Ed Wilkinson)