December 21, 2012

Archbishop Tobin joins Hispanic Catholics to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe

Jennifer Garza, a member of St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis, leads the singing of the responsorial psalm during a Dec. 12 feast day Mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe at her parish’s church. (Photos by Sean Gallagher)

Jennifer Garza, a member of St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis, leads the singing of the responsorial psalm during a Dec. 12 feast day Mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe at her parish’s church. (Photos by Sean Gallagher)

By Sean Gallagher

In one of his first visits to a parish in central and southern Indiana after his installation, Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin celebrated a Mass on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Anthony Church in Indianapolis on Dec. 12.

The church was filled to overflowing primarily with Hispanic Catholics, who came to show their love for Mary—who appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531 on the Hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City.

Dozens of bouquets of flowers surrounded a large image of Our Lady of Guadalupe placed at the front of the church. (See a photo gallery from this event)

Many young boys were dressed as Juan Diego, wearing an imitation of his famous cloak, known as a tilma, on which was imprinted the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Young girls wore colorful native dresses.

Archbishop Tobin, who spent many years ministering at largely Hispanic parishes in Detroit and Chicago, celebrated the entire Mass, including his homily, in Spanish.

Following the Mass, an impromptu parade took place on Warman Avenue in front of the parish church that featured a large statue of “La Virgen de Guadalupe” and Mexican dancers wearing colorful costumes adorned with bells.

The cold December night in Indianapolis was thus made warm with the devotion of these Hispanic Catholics, who showed so much love for the Blessed Mother. †

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