Celebrations mark Guadalupe anniversary By Elsa Baughman
JACKSON — Celebrations to mark the 476th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Tepeyac, Mexico, will pack churches in the Diocese of Jackson Sunday, Dec. 9, and Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 11-12.
Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared Patroness of the Americas in 1945 by Pope Pius XII. In 1999 Pope John Paul II declared her feast as a feast for the entire church of America which includes North, Central and South America.
Every year, Hispanics in the Jackson diocese celebrate this feast with mañanitas (a sunrise service), walking/car processions, Masses, skits, and fiestas. Preparation for the celebration sometimes includes praying 46 rosaries beginning Oct. 28 and ending Dec. 12.
Everyone is invited to participate in the celebrations for Our Lady of Guadalupe hosted by the following parishes/missions:
Canton Sacred Heart will begin the celebration at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, with a procession of people, dancers, and children leaving from the trailer park located on Fulton Road, to the church followed by Mass and a fiesta.
In Carthage, the celebration will be Sunday, Dec. 9, beginning with a procession of the flags of the countries represented in the parish. The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be told during the 11 a.m. Mass for those not familiar with the feast. A reception will follow in the parish center.
Eupora St. John Neumann will have a bilingual Mass Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m.
Forest St. Michael Parish will have a procession at 11 a.m. moving from the Scott County Court House to the church. Mass will be celebrated at 11:45 a.m.
On Tuesday, Dec. 11, there will be a service from 10 p.m. - midnight.
At Greenwood St. Francis of Assisi there will be a procession of cars with dances and songs Sunday, Dec. 9, beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the trailer park located on Elzy Avenue, moving to the church. Mass will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. followed by a party.
Hazlehurst St. Martin will celebrate a Mass Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. followed by a reception.
At Houston Immaculate Heart of Mary there will be mañanitas at 4:30 a.m Wednesday, Dec. 12. Mass is set for 6 p.m. with a procession leaving from the church to the parish center. Participants will gather afterwards for a light dinner of hot chocolate and sweet bread.
In Jackson there will be activities at various places:
9:30 a.m. — Guadalupan soccer tournament at St. Mary Parish.
9:30 a.m. — skit about the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Pearl St. Jude Parish.
11 a.m. — Guadalupan Torch run from Pearl St. Jude Parish to St. Peter Parish.
12:30 p.m. — procession and rosary around Smith Park in downtown Jackson
2 p.m. — Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle to be celebrated by Bishop Joseph Latino.
3:30 p.m. — Gathering, lunch at St. Mary Parish and presentation of trophies and medals to the winners of the soccer tournament and the Guadalupan torch runners.
On Tuesday, Dec. 11, there will be mañanitas at St. Peter Cathedral at 11:30 p.m. A dancing group from Memphis will perform in front of the church.
On Wednesday, Dec. 12, Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter Cathedral at 8 p.m. in Spanish. The 7 a.m. and noon Masses will be celebrated in observance of the feast. The dancing group from Memphis will have a presentation after each of the three Masses this day.
Meridian St. Patrick will have a car procession that will leave at 2 p.m. from St. Joseph Church parking lot and head to St. Patrick Church Sunday, Dec. 9. Mass will be at 3 p.m. at St. Patrick Church followed by a multicultural potluck supper, music and fellowship for all in the Family Life Center. Parishioners are asked to bring a dish according to their last names: A-G, meat; H-M, casserole/vegetable; N-T, dessert; and U-Z, bread.
Ripley St. Matthew, will celebrate the feast Tuesday, Dec. 11, beginning at midnight with a procession, rosary, and mañanitas. Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner and fellowship.
The Guadalupe novena will be prayed at 10 p.m. from Sunday, Dec. 2, to Tuesday, Dec. 11, at different homes.
At Pontotoc St. Christopher Mass will be celebrated Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. followed by a fiesta at the American Legion Hall in Pontotoc.
There will be a bilingual Mass Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m.
Southaven Christ the King will hold a rosary procession at 7 p.m. Sunday-Tuesday, Dec. 9-11.
On Wednesday, Dec. 12, There will be mañanitas at 5 a.m. Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m. followed by dinner. At Tupelo St. James on Sunday, Dec. 9, activities will be held as followed:
5 a.m. — Youth group will present a skit about the apparition of the Virgin.
5:30 a.m. — mañanitas with a mariachi
6 a.m. — Rosary.
7 a.m. — Breakfast and a dance presentation by the Guadalupan Group.
2 p.m. — A procession will move from the Catholic Life Center to the church followed by Mass and lunch. The mariachi and dancing group will perform during lunch.
On Wednesday, Dec. 12, a bilingual Mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m. followed by a dance presentation.
Vicksburg St. Michael, Sunday, Dec. 9, will have a rosary at 1 p.m. followed by Mass at 2 p.m. and a fiesta.
