Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration at St. Brigid

On December 12, 2015 a high noon mass was celebrated honoring the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St Brigid Catholic Church. I had the honor of serving as a Eucharistic Minister. Our Pastor, Father Stuart Juleen, reflected on how he was born and raised in Southern California surrounded by many Spanish-speaking people and how he was instrumental in starting Guadalupana Societies in three different Texas parishes. He also mentioned that he had made a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, and that Our Lady of Guadalupe icons could be found in various buildings all over Mexico and also in Europe’s cathedrals. What was so special was that the Preface, Eucharistic Prayers, consecration, and prayer of peace were all said in Spanish.

The Guadalupana Society at St. Brigid has existed since 1978. The 11-day Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena has been prayed for 5 years. This practice was initiated by Raul and Linda Cortez, who had also started the Novena at St. Luke’s Catholic Church. I had the privilege of asking numerous members why they joined the Guadalupana Society. One said it was because of her love of music, another responded that it was due to her personal devotion to the Virgin. One person was recruited by a family member, another heard about it by word of mouth.