Our Lady of Guadalupe float wins the hearts of Corpus Christi

The city of Corpus Christi cheered and mothers raised their babies to Our Lady of Guadalupe as she travelled the parade route at the 2015 Buccaneer Illuminated Night Parade on May 2. The Pro-life group, Helpers of God's Precious Infants, sponsored the float, which won first place in the religious category.

A 20-foot flatbed trailer was transformed into a scene of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego kneeling at the foot of Mt. Tapeac. Every inch of the float was illuminated and adorned with 650 handmade, multi-colored, paper flowers. The backdrop behind Our Lady was an 8-foot wall with golden colored rays made of cloth and hundreds of multi-colored flowers.

An arch above Our Lady read, "Pray for Us." On the backside of the 8-foot wall was the Tilma and some 400 colored flowers cascaded to the ground. The arch above the Tilma read, "Pray the Rosary." Several youth walked behind the float as a sign of support.

Sharon Longoria, a member of Helpers of God's Precious Infants, said it took 17 days, 67 volunteers and nearly $300 to create the prize-winning float.

"Our purpose is to evangelize the people of Corpus Christi by bringing Our Lady of Guadalupe and the messages, 'Pray the Rosary' and 'Pray for Us,'" she said.

This was the third year that Helpers of God's Precious Infants participated in the night parade and they are already planning for next year's event. Helpers meet every third Saturday at 8 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 710 19th Street for Mass, adoration and to pray the rosary.