This year the celebration for Our Lady of Guadalupe will be very different.
In Mexico City, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the most visited Catholic shrine in the world, will close its doors from Dec. 10 to 13 due to the pandemic. However, faithful anywhere will be able to follow the Basilica’s Masses through the page: www.virgendeguadalupe.org.mx
In the San Diego area, Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Barrio Logan will close its doors on Dec. 11, 12 and 13 and livestream its Masses through its Facebook page.
In addition, Pope Francis granted Catholics across the world a plenary indulgence as they celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe from home on Dec. 12. (See details below.)
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patron of Mexico, the United States, all of the Americas, and the Philippines, as well as the protector of unborn children.
The following are some ideas for the faithful to celebrate “La Morenita del Tepeyac,” as Mexicans call her, at home:
- Each family can create an altar to Our Lady of Guadalupe and share it through social media channels, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Parishes, for their part, can organize a contest with simple prizes for those who share their photos on social media.
- Hold the traditional novena or triduum at home with the family, or form a group through Facebook Live or WhatsApp to pray the Rosary together.
- Depending on the options available, attend a Mass. These are being held outdoors exclusively in the San Diego diocese.
- On Dec. 12th, sing “Las Mañanitas” and other Marian songs to Our Lady. You can also throw in a few “Vivas!” to her.
- Celebrate with a breakfast or supper of tamales, menudo or pozole with the family. Prepare dishes that are usually eaten at the parish fiesta, such as gorditas, enchiladas, tacos dorados, champurrado, hot chocolate and more.
- Enjoy at home other traditional treats popular during this season.
- Place in a window facing to the street an image of Our Lady.
- Organize a parish-based car caravan or parade decorated with images related to the Virgin, always observing social distancing and other safety measures.
- Watch movies or documentaries about Our Lady of Guadalupe.
- Watch a video of “Las Mañanitas” taped in previous years at the Basilica or your parish.
Meanwhile, to receive an indulgence, a remission of the temporal punishment of one’s sins, the following conditions must be met. A person must:
– Prepare an altar or place of prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe at home.
– Watch a livestream or televised Mass from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City on December 12th “actively participating… with devotion and with exclusive attention to the Eucharist.”
– Complete the usual conditions for an indulgence by praying for the Pope’s intentions, being in a state of grace after confession, attending a full Mass and receiving Communion. The Pope’s statement specifies that these three conditions “can be fulfilled when public health guidance allow them.”
