Bishop Gregory Parkes, Local Parishes to Celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 7, 2022 | On December 12, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Feast days are holy days set aside to recall miraculous and significant events in the Catholic Church’s history. Across the Americas, millions mark the day with Holy Mass, and festivities at their local parishes. In the Diocese of St. Petersburg, several parishes will be holding multicultural, bilingual celebrations. Also, Bishop Gregory Parkes will celebrate Mass for the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The Public is Invited to the Events Listed Below:
- December 12th, 7:00 p.m., Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass with Bishop Gregory Parkes
- San Juan Diego Mission
- 3238 San Jose Mission Drive, Dover
- December 11th- 12th, Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration
- (includes food, folklore dances, Mass and procession)
- St. Rita Catholic Church (more information here)
- 14404 14th Street, Dade City
- December 10th-12th, Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration
- St. Cecelia Catholic Church (more information here)
- (includes food, Mass, music, Rosary, procession, and Mariachi bands)
- 820 Jasmine Way, Clearwater
- December 12th, 12:10 p.m., Mass in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church
- 509 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa
- (This special Mass will be accompanied by a Mariachi band, and said in Spanish & English
- December 12th, 7:00 p.m. Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass and Celebration
- Santa Maria Mission
- 14004 N. 15th Street Tampa, FL 33613
- (Mass will be said in Spanish)
Additional Information:
On December 9th, 1531, a lady of “glowing beauty,” appeared to St. Juan Diego, a Christian man of the indigenous population. Our Lady of Guadalupe announced herself as the “ever holy Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God” on the hill of Tepeyac, in present-day Mexico City. Our Lady asked that St. Juan Diego build her a shrine in that same spot, for her to show and share her love and compassion with all those who believe. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe was completed in 1709 in Mexico City where Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego. The original Basilica is now a place of perpetual adoration. A new Basilica now houses the tilma, St. Juan Diego’s cloak where the image of Mary miraculously appeared. The Basilica can seat 10,000 people and can offer temporary seating for up to 40,000. An incredible list of miracles, cures, and interventions are attributed to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Here are Our Lady’s words to St. Juan Diego:
“Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.”