For many Roman Catholics of Mexican heritage, December 12 marks a day of profound spiritual significance. This date celebrates the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patron saint, and holds special meaning for communities of Mexican descent worldwide.
In Wilkes-Barre, members of the St. Nicholas-St. Mary Parish observed this sacred day through a series of events, including morning prayers, a two-hour afternoon procession, and a Mass held at St. Nicholas Church in the city’s downtown area.
Understanding Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe, revered by Catholics, is also known as the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ. According to Catholic tradition, Mary appeared in 1531 to an indigenous Mexican named St. Juan Diego and his uncle, Juan Bernardino, at what is now the Villa de Guadalupe neighborhood in Mexico City.
According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Mary left her image on Juan Diego’s cloak, saying, “Am I not here, who am your Mother?” This image, depicting a pregnant Mary surrounded by a radiant sunburst, is preserved at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico.
Across the globe, this image is replicated in statues, paintings, and banners, as seen during the feast day celebrations in Wilkes-Barre. The Associated Press reported that large numbers of pilgrims also gathered in Mexico City for the festivities, while Pope Leo XIV conducted Mass at the Vatican for the occasion.
Feast Day Traditions in Wilkes-Barre
St. Nicholas-St. Mary Parish, known for its growing Latino community, offers Mass in both English and Spanish. The parish’s annual celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe sees increasing participation each year.
This year, hundreds braved the cold to join the procession, which concluded with a packed Mass at St. Nicholas Church. A local family, the Vergaras, had the honor of hosting a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the year, which was carried to the church by worshippers. Many attendees also brought their own statues and mementos of Mary for blessing.
Participants often don traditional Mexican attire, engaging in singing and dancing along the procession route, with some even wearing depictions of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Bishop Joseph Bambera of the Scranton Diocese led the Mass following the procession.
