Hundreds gather to observe Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe

Part solemn expression of faith and part party, about 500 people of Mexican and Central American descent gathered Wednesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen to observe the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The sighting of the Virgin in 1531 by a peasant Indian near Mexico City is long held in religious tradition as the event that led to the opening of Mexico to Catholicism. The sighting is celebrated by a feast day observed on Dec. 12.

Father Dennis Robb presided over a mass held to celebrate the holiday. He said that in the Americas, observance of the feast ranks in importance just under Easter and Christmas in terms of observation.

“This feast is at the center of how they came to the faith,” he said. It was through this that Mexico became Catholic. I find it a great expression of their faith. If it had been pouring rain they would have come anyway.”

The celebration in Aberdeen was a two-day event, culminating on Wednesday with a procession with a statue of the Virgin from Saint Peter and Saint Paul Catholic Church to Saint Mary’s Church, a mass and finally a party with traditional food, traditional dancing and music by a mariachi band.

Leticia Meza, an Aberdeen woman of Mexican descent, said she attended the mass and celebration to keep her faith strong and to instill a sense of tradition in her children.

“It’s important to teach my daughters and continue the traditions that we have,” she said.

For many immigrants from Mexico and those of Mexican or Central American descent, the feast day is a clear expression of their identity as Latinos.

Ana Orona said she came to the feast celebration because, “I’m Mexican.”

“Because the Virgin appeared to a humble Mexican who was an Indian. The Virgin chose a very humble person like any one of us.”

Annette Alejandre, a fifth grader, said she likes the feast day because it is fun and she likes the traditions, “I get to hang out with my friends.”