Celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe
A full week of events at Saint Mary’s honors La Virgen—culminating December 2 with a mariachi-led procession, Mass in the Chapel, and a fiesta in the Soda Center.
Carrying on a Saint Mary’s College tradition that has blossomed in recent years, this week the campus community will take part in a week-long celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico. Revered and recognized all over Latin America—Pope John Paul II declared her Patroness of the Americas—La Virgen is a source of hope for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized.
The pinnacle of the week comes Friday, December 2, with a mariachi-led procession with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Mass in the Saint Mary’s Chapel, and a community fiesta in the Soda Center with food, music, and dancing.
Brianna Gonzalez ’23 and Anthony Campos ’24 serve as Our Lady of Guadalupe/Latinx Student Leaders of the Mission and Ministry Center on campus. “Our hope is to share with you all our Latinx expression,” they note, “through food, dance, thought, culture, spirituality, and faith.”
A Vision on the Hill
The Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12 in the Catholic church. That marks the date in 1531 when, ten years after the defeat of the Aztec empire in Mexico by the Spanish, Our Lady made an appearance to an indigenous peasant, Juan Diego, on the hill of Tepeyac. In the language of the natives, Nahuatl, La Virgen shared her desire for a church to be built so that she can show and bestow her love, compassion, help, and protection to all who call upon her and confide in her.
The Saint Mary’s week-long celebration honoring La Virgen draws on half a millennium of faith tradition. And, thanks to a student, the celebration became something much grander and more inclusive just over a decade ago.
The Saint Mary’s week-long celebration honoring La Virgen draws on half a millennium of faith tradition. And, thanks to a student, the celebration became something much grander and more inclusive just over a decade ago. When Yadira Guerruero-Garcia ’15 arrived on campus as a first-year student, she wanted to share her love for the Blessed Virgin Mary with the rest of the campus—a celebration that could be broader and more inviting. And so it has become an opportunity for the community to learn more about Our Lady of Guadalupe and participate in cultural traditions. Activities for the week also encompass working with a local food bank and forming a human rosary to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ Community.
Celebrations November 28 through December 2
NOVEMBER 21 — DECEMBER 2 | OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE LIBRARY DISPLAY
A student-curated display of images of and books about Our Lady of Guadalupe.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27 | SERVICE TRIP TO FOOD BANK OF CONTRA COSTA AND SOLANO COUNTY
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28 | MUJERISTA HUMAN ROSARY
Join this student-hosted Mujeritsa Human Rosary to share in community and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ Community, especially in light of the most recent senseless attack at Club Q in Colorado.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29 | LOTERIA NIGHT!
Student-hosted game night with refreshments and prizes. Begins 8 p.m. in the Intercultural Center.
Following Mass, take part in a fiesta honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe.Credit: Francis Tatem
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30 | DISCUSSION: OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE IN IMAGES
Hosted by the Mission & Ministry Center's Faith Formation Team, this panel will feature Professor Anthony Suarez-Abraham, who teaches the course “Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of a New Creation,” leading a discussion of the significance and symbolism of Our Lady of Guadalupe imagery. He will be joined by students Emily Magallon and Ana Gomez, who will share about their personal devotions to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Begins at 7 p.m. in Claeys Lounge, in the Soda Center.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 | FILM SCREENING: Quinceañera
Enjoy a movie night in Hagerty Lounge with this Sundance award-winning film. Popcorn and refreshments provided. Begins 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2 | OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PROCESSION, MASS, AND FIESTA
The week culminates in this annual tradition of a mariachi-led procession around campus, a mass in the Chapel, followed by a fiesta in the Soda Center. The procession begins at 6:15 p.m. in the Chapel Plaza, and will stop at various places around campus before leading into the Chapel for Mass at 7 p.m. All are invited to follow the mariachi after mass to the Soda Center where everyone will be treated to a fiesta beginning at 8:15 p.m., with a buffet dinner sponsored by the Office of the President and Office of Student Life, a performance by Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano, and finally a live Banda and dancing.
SEE MORE DETAILS about Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations at Saint Mary’s.