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Our Lady of Guadalupe brings parishes together in celebration
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December 22, 2014Parishes from throughout the Diocese of Corpus Christi came together on Dec. 11-12 to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. From San Diego to Corpus Christi, the faithful donned native Aztec costumes, listened to Mariachi music and processed with candlelight to pay homage to the Patron of the Americas.
In Kingsville, Bishop Michael Mulvey joined the 1.3-mile procession from St. Martin of Tours to St. Gertrude where he celebrated Mass on Friday, Dec. 12. Parishioners from Kingsville's two other parishes, Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Joseph also participated.
An Aztec native dance group from Our Lady of Good Counsel led the procession into the church while a mariachi composed of musicians from three of the city's parishes provided the music. A choir that came together for the Mass with members from all four parishes provided the music liturgy.
Father Jesus Francisco Lopez, Spiritual Director for the Federation of Our Lady of Guadalupe Societies, leads procession from Sacred Heart to the Corpus Christi Cathedral to celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron of the Americas and the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
Ervey Martinez for South Texas Catholic
Bishop Mulvey expressed his joy at seeing all four parishes coming together for the celebration. This was the second year for this celebration, with last year's event including a procession from St. Gertrude's to St. Martin of Tours.
Parishes in Alice and San Diego also came together for the celebration, which kicked off on Thursday, Dec. 11, at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Alice. Parishioners from St. Joseph and St. Elizabeth in Alice, as well as St. Francis de Paula in San Diego took part. El Mariachi Los Guadalupanos from Mexico provided the music for the procession, from State Highway 44 to the church, and Mariachi Mexicanismo from Corpus Christi provided music at the church. The matachín group Danza Guadalupana from Alice also performed.
Mass was celebrated at 10 p.m. with Father Julian Cabrera celebrating and Msgr. Leonard Pivonka of St. Elizabeth, Father Pete Elizardo and Father Fernando Gámez from St. Joseph and Father Alex Saenz from Holy Family in Corpus Christi concelebrating. After Mass, clergy and parishioners placed flowers at an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and others serenaded her.
On Friday, worshipers celebrated at St. Francis de Paula in San Diego and then at St. Joseph in Alice.
In Corpus Christi, meanwhile, the annual procession from Sacred Heart Parish to Corpus Christi Cathedral took place. The Federation of Our Lady of Guadalupe Societies sponsored the celebration with members coming from chapters from throughout the diocese.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebrations
Kingsville
Alice and San Diego
Corpus Christi
