Sacred Heart Catholic Church members took to the streets for the Our Lady of Guadalupe procession on Dec. 12. 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Gridley residents along Hazel, Virginia, Magnolia and Oregon streets saw the Our Lady of Guadalupe procession on the afternoon of Dec. 12. About 100 Sacred Heart Catholic Church members braved the rain and participated in the event.

The festivities were organized by Guadalupeanos Society members. Many in the procession wore brightly-colored costumes and carried Virgin Mary pictures. Some distributed free rosary beads. They were accompanied by police escorts and Gridley City Councilmember J. Angel Calderon. The procession made a complete circle, beginning and ending at the church. 

Calderon said that the festival is a very ancient practice, predating the Spanish invasion of Mexico. He said a Midnight Mass at Sacred Heart was held the night before the procession. 

Millions visit the Basilica in Mexico yearly to see Juan Diego’s cloak with the original image of the Virgin Mary.  Courtesy photo

After the procession, church members or “feligreses” celebrated at the church with traditional food, folklorico dancing, a plate fundraiser for the Guadalupeanos Society and religious offerings. The celebration was smaller than in years past when it was held at the Portuguese Hall, according to Calderon. 

The festival or feast, also known as El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe, celebrates the Virgin Mary’s appearance to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill, Mexico City in 1531. According to Catholic tradition, the image of the Virgin Mary was imprinted on Juan Diego’s cloak or tilma. 

The tilma has survived nearly 500 years. It is displayed under bullet-proof glass in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. More than 20 million visitors go to the basilica each year, which makes it the most visited Catholic church in the world. 

Ballet Folklorico Tonantzin de Gridley members ride in a pickup truck during the procession. 

The Catholics believe the cloak has healing power. 

The Virgin of Guadalupe has since become a national symbol of the faith and identity of Mexico. 

Catholics throughout the world celebrate the event, with pilgrimages, masses, processions and children’s blessings. They look forward to Dec. 12, 2031, the 500th anniversary of the Virgin Mary’s visitation to Juan Diego.