St. Joseph Cathedral is filled for Mass on Dec. 13, the day after the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with students from Cristo Rey Columbus High School and elsewhere after a procession from the high school in downtown Columbus to the cathedral.
A series of events often takes place before, during and after the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe on Dec. 12, including a novena, processions and Masses.
Cristo Rey Columbus High School was not far behind with a celebration and procession from the school to Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral on Friday, Dec. 13. Cold weather did not stop the celebration or dampen the enthusiasm of the organizers and participants, including priests and Bishop Earl Fernandes.
An Aztec religious dance known as matachines, performed by the St. Paul Dance Group of Norwalk, Ohio, with colorful costumes and head pieces made with white feathers, animated the procession to the cathedral. Children and adults of different ages were a part of the dance group.
“We have the dance ready. We did it last year. It is very nice to represent the culture and honor the Virgin,” said Mercedez Diaz, a member of the dance group.
Monica Mendez, a mom of three girls and a boy, said, “Everything was very neat and nice. It is wonderful that this celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe is held in the cathedral and that my girls who have been dancing for 10 years – it is wonderful they have this opportunity to participate.”
Roselva Diaz from Norwalk St. Paul Church has been in the United States for 20 years and has a daughter who has danced in the group for two years.
“I feel very happy and proud that my daughter is participating in honoring the Virgin. Thanks to the Virgin that the school is doing this and hope it keep(s) doing it. Everything was very nice. I think it would be good if this celebration could be done in a bigger way, including more parishes and Catholic institutions,” she said.
“The Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe today was beautiful. The bishop did a fantastic job honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the singers and the dancers were inspirational,” said Cathy Maurer, who attended the Mass.
Getting ready for the procession and Mass was somewhat challenging.
“The preparation for this event was arduous, gathering so many people,” said Christopher Carrillo, spiritual life coordinator at Cristo Rey High School. “The dancers are from Norwalk, Ohio. They are family because I came from Norwalk. I wanted the students to see another part of the Hispanic culture and to plan with them, the chancery, with the bishop and to organize the different schedules.
“It was not easy, but it turned out very nice. I am very proud that everything went very well. I thank the police department because they helped a lot. They decided the route we took today and helped with the permit procedure. I thank the officer who helped me, the priests, the bishop and the altar boys.”
The event proved successful, and God gave a beautiful, sunny, cold day. Many left the cathedral with smiles, including the bishop. He appeared delighted with the outcome of the celebrations.
The Virgin of Guadalupe appeared in 1531. She introduced herself to St. Juan Diego as the mother of God and humanity. She brought union, hope, healing, love and faith during peaceless times.
Our Lady spoke to St. Juan Diego, reminding him and all her children, “Am I not here, I that am your mother?”