. .
EL PASO, Texas – The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in honor of the Virgin Mary has been celebrated in Latin America for hundreds of years, with large gatherings of the faithful at masses and processions.
In the past few years, rosaries, mariachi bands, ministries and plays for children and adults have been celebrated. Family and friends from neighboring Juarez, Mexico would cross the international bridges to celebrate together.
But amid the growing coronavirus pandemic along the border, Diocese of El Paso compliance will be virtual on Saturday – a decision that was difficult but necessary to uphold both the faith and public health.
« This year is dramatically different, » said Monsignor Arturo Bañuelas of St. . Mark Catholic Church. “Last year thousands of people came. We’re doing the same thing, but it’s all broadcast live. «
The dec. . Celebration 12, also known as El Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, marks the date in 1531 when the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous farmer, to request the construction of a church on a hill outside Mexico City.
St. . Mark parishioner Ricardo Vargas and his family attended major public celebrations commemorating the miracle of the Virgin Mary. But Covid-19 worried him and his relatives.
« The family will celebrate in our home with a picture of the Virgin Mary, » said Vargas. « We are dedicated to our Virgin Mary and it is very important to us, but we want everyone to be safe and not stay away from the crowds. ”
Even so, it is difficult for church members to be apart from one another, especially after a difficult year.
« We’re used to being together and sharing food. It was hard indeed, « said Vargas. « Some people have lost relatives to the virus and want to pray in church or at the shrine, but they understand that this is a difficult time. «
« We are used to doing great things for our mother, » said Vargas, referring to the Virgin Mary, « but we encourage everyone to stay home. «
Others look forward to the change in worship. Marisa Limon Garza is happy to take part in the virtual activities.
« I celebrated this for 20 years. But in a time of pandemic there is still comfort, ”said the former Catholic school teacher. « The news is still hopeful, but I don’t need it to be personal. It offers a degree of understanding and care when the world is hectic. ”
The idea of building a church was not lost on Bañelas, given the political emphasis on the border and immigration.
“Today’s temple means we must build a society in which everyone is welcome and protected. We have to show how connected we are to one another, « said Bañuelas, who is active in human rights work in his community.
« From the border point of view, for immigrants it is an image of hope that God will bring something new, » said Bañuelas. « If you are local or poor or an immigrant, you see hope. You feel close to God. «
« She comes to bring us hope, » said the monsignor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. « We need hope, a lot of hope. It is one of the most beautiful symbols. ”
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Juan Diego, Catholic Church, Mary
World News – USA – “We need hope”: Latino Catholics commemorate Virgen de Guadalupe through virtual events
Ref: https://www.nbcnews.com
