by Katie Vasquez
The beats of dancers echo in the Co-Cathedral of S.t Joseph.
More than 3,000 parishioners of Latin American heritage displaying their faith and culture during a mass for a popular marian apparition.
“We Mexicans believe it,” said St. Athanasius Church parishioner, Erick Morales. “She has done very, very much miracles for us. and it is very special for us.”
“We grow with it. Since we were kids we hear from our Lady of Guadalupe and always we pray to her and we’re asking to intercede for us,” said St. Finbar parishioner, Lazaro Bulux.
It’s the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and even though the devotion dates back almost 500 years, it’s so strong in the Diocese of Brooklyn that this celebration had to be split into two masses, one for Brooklyn and one for Queens.
“It’s incredibly exciting to see so many people here,” said Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn. “And this is one mass. So these are the parishes in Brooklyn who gathered and we filled the cathedral.”
But these devotees aren’t just here to celebrate mass with Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan, they’re here to spread the word of Christ.
Bishop Brennan lights dozens of torches that the runners will bring back to their parishes.
The flame symbolizes the light of Christ, and their journey, a way to share their love of Jesus and the blessed mother.
“It’s a very powerful sign of evangelization. It’s a very visible sign of who we are and what we’re about. and our love for the blessed mother, our love for Jesus Christ, said Brennan.
“You know whatever light we can get, we’re going to share it. so that’s very, very important. and we are happy to be here. to be part. and we are blessed,” said Bulux.
And just as the torches light the streets of the Diocese of Brooklyn, the light of Christ enters into the homes and hearts of the faithful.