Posted December 14, 2016

Faithful from across Philadelphia walked from their home parishes on Sunday night, Dec. 11 to the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul for a Mass in anticipation of the Dec. 12 feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The participating parishes included St. Thomas Aquinas and Annunciation B.V.M. in South Philadelphia, and Holy Innocents, Visitation B.V.M. and St. Michael in North Philadelphia.

The procession consisting of the Hispanic community and others wound around the cathedral and included mariachi music and a presentation of roses to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The faithful then entered the cathedral where Auxiliary Bishop Edward M. Deliman was the main celebrant and homilist for the Mass, which also included Las Mañanitas, a traditional serenading of Our Lady on the vigil of her feast day. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops called for a day of prayer and solidarity with families of immigrants on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Watch a video from the evening here. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Members of St. Michael Parish arrive at the cathedral with statues and images of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

  • Pilgrims from St. Michael Parish arrive at the cathedral after walking from their church in North Philadelphia.

  • Pilgrims from Visitation B.V.M. and St. Michael dance through the streets of Philadelphia to celebrate their faith on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

  • Jazmin Serrano from the parish of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul proudly waves her flag with Our Lady’s image.

  • Pilgrims from St. Thomas Aquinas Parish walk across Benjamin Franklin Parkway past Sister Cities Park on their way to the cathedral.

  • Members of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, one of the largest group participating in the devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, arrive at the cathedral.

  • Jayden Medina, dressed as St. Juan Diego to whom the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in 1531 in Mexico, and his aunt Marleny Nava attend Mass at the cathedral honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe.

  • Daniel Hernandez

  • Bishop Edward Deliman blesses roses placed before the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.

  • Dayanara and Marvin Cruz from St. Thomas Aquinas Parish lean on each other after a long procession from South Philadelphia to the cathedral for Mass honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe.

  • Sister Mary of the Holy Face, S.S.V.M., serving at St. Veronica Parish, proudly celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe.