DETROIT — One-hundred and eighty-six people from parishes all over the Archdiocese of Detroit were consecrated to Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 9 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.
Auxiliary Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton celebrated the feast day Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas, during a special celebration with Spanish-speaking Catholics at Detroit's mother church. Retired Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Donald F. Hanchon concelebrated the Mass, along with several local priests.
The annual celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which features traditional dances and songs honoring the Blessed Mother, filled the cathedral before a Mass and program attended by hundreds from local parishes.
As part of the program before Mass, dancers — called "concheros" — wore traditional Aztec clothing in honor of the people to whom Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared, principally to St. Juan Diego, whose tilma bore the image of Our Lady.
Children's groups from St. Juan Diego Parish, the Basilica of Ste. Anne and Most Holy Redeemer parishes in Detroit also took part in the celebration, and the Última Rhéma Ministry serenaded between dances.
This year's program included the consecration of 186 individuals from several Detroit-area communities to Our Lady of Guadalupe, who each were imposed with medals signifying their consecration.
(Photos by Alissa Tuttle | Special to Detroit Catholic)
