Parishes and schools throughout the diocese celebrated the annual feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with prayers, special celebrations and Masses.

Processions with an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is the patroness of the Americas and the unborn, were held in various locations starting Dec. 10. 

Among them were processions down North High Street in north Columbus to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Star of the New Evangelization Parish at Holy Name Church; on Smoky Row Road in northwest Columbus between St. Peter Church and Powell St. Joan of Arc Church; in downtown Marion to St. Mary Church; on the east side of Columbus from Christ the King Church to St. Thomas the Apostle Church; and in the German Village area at St. Mary, Mother of God Church.

Bishop Earl Fernandes celebrated Mass on Dec. 10 at Columbus St. Stephen the Martyr Church and on Dec. 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe’s feast day, at the Star of the New Evangelization Parish before an overflow congregation.

The colorful celebrations honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, who appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531, included prayers dedicated to the Virgin, traditional dancing and costumes, food and fellowship particularly among the Latino community.

The following photos and highlights were submitted by some parishes and schools that observed the feast:   


Columbus Our Lady of Guadalupe, Star of the New Evangelization

A novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe that began Nov. 30, a procession down North High Street on Dec. 10 and a Mass with Bishop Fernandes were among the highlights of the celebration at Our Lady Guadalupe, Star of the New Evangelization (formerly Parroquia Santa Cruz), located at Columbus Holy Name Church.

The three-mile procession to the parish featuring an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe included hundreds of participants who prayed and sang along the route.

On Dec. 11, the eve of the feast, a traditional Mañanitas celebration for a birthday or saint’s feast day with Mass, prayers, songs and food preceded the feast day Mass at the parish with Bishop Fernandes as the principal celebrant. A reception followed.


Delaware St. Mary Church

The Hispanic community at Delaware St. Mary Church came together on the evening of Dec. 12 in celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s feast day, beginning the festivities with a procession into the church, followed by a bilingual Mass and a reception with food. 

At the reception, Los Guadalupanos from Marion St. Mary Church, a group of matachines performed a “pilgrimage dance” in honor of Our Lady.


Columbus St. Mary, Mother of God Church

Columbus St. Mary, Mother of God Church observed the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12 with matachines, a Mariachi band, the re-enactment of the apparitions of Our Lady and a Mass.

“It was one of the most beautiful celebrations we have had for Our Lady,” said Edith Monroy, the parish’s Latino Ministry coordinator. 

“The Latino community expresses all our respect and adoration to Our Lady of Guadalupe. This year was even more special as we introduced the new (replica) image of Our Lady brought from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. This image has converted an entire nation and continues to convert people around the world, bringing us faith and hope.

“We pray this image will continue to extend the graces of evangelization, conversion and truth to our community. I invite you to visit her new home, here in St. Mary in German Village. The image will be displayed in the new Our Lady of Guadalupe Hall.”


Westerville St. Paul the Apostle School

Students in first and seventh grades led a procession on Dec. 12 for Our Lady of Guadalupe’s feast day at Westerville St. Paul School.

The Daughters of Holy Mary of the Heart of Jesus, the order of religious sisters assigned to the school, collaborated with the Spanish teacher to organize the procession.

Before the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the sisters talked to the seventh-graders about the feast. The first-graders also learned about the Virgin when the Spanish teacher visited their classroom.

With the help of seventh-grade students, the younger students made roses to offer to Our Lady after the procession, which started inside the school with praying the rosary in Spanish and English, went around the church and concluded by the statue of the Virgin Mary inside the school with offerings of the roses and singing songs in Spanish to honor her.


Columbus St. James the Less Church

Columbus St. James the Less Church welcomed a full congregation of about 800 for its celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec.12. 

A procession and Mass were followed by a ceremony for three parishioners completing a consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Afterward, dancers performed in the cafeteria, where food was served at a reception.


Scioto Catholic Consortium

For the first time, the Scioto Catholic Consortium in Portsmouth had a procession on Dec. 12 in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe that started at Holy Redeemer Church and went to St. Mary Church before returning.

The procession was followed by a Mass, celebration and dinner in Holy Redeemer’s activity center.

Parishioners also participated in a rosary novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe from Dec. 3-11.


Marion St. Mary Church

On Dec 10, St. Mary Church had a procession on the streets in Marion with the praying of the rosary and singing followed by traditional Mexican dance, a Spanish Mass and dinner.

On Dec 12, the parish had Mariachis in the early morning, a rosary and a 7 a.m. Spanish Mass on the feast in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.


Columbus Christ the King Church

The celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe started Dec. 3 with a novena.

On Dec. 10, a procession was led by Father Anthony Baetzold, CFR; Brother Anthony Essien, OFM Cap.; and the Missionary Servants of the Word that began from Columbus St. Philip the Apostle Church and ended at Christ the King Church, followed by Mass celebrated by Father Baetzold.

The celebration continued at the All Saints Academy school gym where parishioners gathered for food and music.

To conclude the observance on Dec. 11, there was a rosary with songs at 10:30 p.m., Mañanitas at midnight and a Mass.      


Columbus St. Cecilia Church and School

Columbus St. Cecilia Church started its celebration early Dec. 12 with Mañanitas at 5:30 a.m. that included music and a band to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe.

A 6 a.m. Mass was followed by breakfast with tamales, Mexican sweet bread and coffee. In addition, the children of St. Cecilia School performed a play of the apparitions of the Virgin of Guadalupe that included Mexican dances.


Columbus St. Peter and Powell St. Joan of Arc churches

A 2 ½-mile procession with approximately 400 people made its way on Dec. 18 from Columbus St. Peter Church to Powell St. Joan of Arc Church. Along the route, three rosaries were prayed that included singing between each mystery and the participation of the Guadalupana San Pedro dance.

Joining the procession were Father David Schalk, the pastor of St. Peter and St. Joan of Arc, and Father Victor Mendez Cano, CR, parochial vicar.

Other events at the parishes were a re-enactment of Mary’s appearance at Guadalupe, Mañanitas, rosaries and a Mass on Dec. 12.

Other Masses, rosaries and commemorations of Our Lady of Guadalupe were held at various diocesan churches leading up to and on the feast day.