FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2022
THOUSANDS OF CATHOLICS MAKE ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO HONOR OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
The Diocese of Brooklyn celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe today with two Spanish masses at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, located at 856 Pacific Street in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn. About 3,000 pilgrims filled the pews to pray to Our Lady as they were serenaded by Mexican mariachis singing cultural and liturgical songs. The Mass for Queens Catholics took place at 9:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. for Brooklyn Catholics.
During his homily in Spanish, the Most Reverend Robert Brennan, the Bishop of Brooklyn, told the faithful that Mary tells us, like she told Juan Diego in an apparition, not to fear, not to be afraid, for God is always with us, but especially during the difficult times. He also preached to a huge audience of young people, asking them to listen for God’s call as He may ask them to serve the Church as priests or religious.
The annual lighting of the torches followed the Mass on the steps of the Co-Cathedral. Bishop Brennan lit the torches carried by representatives from 44 parishes. After the torch lighting, the pilgrims marched the streets of Queens and Brooklyn to their respective parishes.
The group of pilgrims represents, in its vast majority, the Mexican Catholic population of Brooklyn and Queens. An estimated 175,000 Mexicans live in Brooklyn and Queens.
###
VIMEO: vimeo.com/780526070
