Lady of Guadalupe

This is part of a supported campaign with Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary.
However, all opinions expressed are my own.

This weekend I was invited to a beautiful pageant show “Juan Diego & the Beautiful Lady” performed by Rio Hondo College students and procession in honor of Lady of Guadalupe at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, CA.

This event was particularly meaningful to me – not just because I was baptized and confirmed as Catholic but because Mary is my patron saint, and I feel as though I’ve lost the connection I once felt with her when I was a practicing Catholic. It felt amazing to spend an afternoon dedicated to her, especially as we enter the Christmas season.

I went to Catholic school most of my academic life, and never felt as moved about any of the stories I read as the ones of Mary’s apparitions. Particularly the sightings of Lúcia Santos in Fatima, Portugal and Juan Diego in Guadalupe, Mexico.

I remember learning about them in the 4th or 5th grade, and immediately knew that I wanted Mary to be my confirmation saint, which was a ceremony typically celebrated in the 6th grade. After much research, I chose Mary as the Lady of Guadalupe instead of Fatima because – the way I understood it as this age – if she was able to communicate with Juan Diego then it must mean she knows Spanish (remember, I was a kid at the time!). That is the version of Mary I felt the most connected to. The brown depiction with an angel and moon at her feet.

The procession was led by Mariachi Trompetas de Mexico and dancers from Pacifico Dance Company for a special blessing at SkyRose Chapel. I felt so much peace and tranquility as we sang and walked together alongside a replica image of Our Lady of Guadalupe gifted to Rose Hills by the Archbishop of Mexico City.

It was my first time attending, and I would love to do it again next year. In fact, they already have the date set to do again – Juan Diego and the Beautiful Lady, Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary.

Save the date and visit them for more info!