This pilgrimage is an invitation for all to come together to celebrate our shared Catholic faith regardless of nationality. This year’s image features Our Lady of the Rosary, patroness of Guatemala and the image honored at this year’s Hispanic Mass. A poster-sized image of Our Lady is brought to each of six regions – Pasco-Citrus-Hernando, Hillsborough, Tampa, North Tampa, North Pinellas, and Central Pinellas-St. Petersburg – which include parishes that celebrate Mass in Spanish or have a Spanish ministry.

Upon arrival at a parish, the image is presented at the Spanish weekend Mass. It remains with the parish community for approximately a week and visits ministries or families within the parish. During the visitation, the parish prays the rosary, fostering continued devotion to the Blessed Mother. It is a beautiful invitation and reminder that the Blessed Mother walks with each of us daily and gathers us together in faith.

Pope Leo XIV recently requested that all Catholics pray the rosary for peace during the month of October, as well as on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7, thus making it fitting that the pilgrimage of the image of Our Lady of the Rosary takes place this month as well.

“We like to think it was God’s providence that this year’s advocacy is Our Lady of the Rosary from Guatemala,” said Ana Jahuey, administrative assistant for the Office of Intercultural Ministries. 

“It is a great joy for the community to pray along with Pope Leo, especially in times like these, when the rosary is our best defense, and the love of our Blessed Mother is our refuge.”

The Rosary is a hallmark of the Catholic faith, uniting the faithful across all nationalities, languages, and cultures as Mary teaches us about her Son and leads us closer to Him. In a special way, this devotion to the Blessed Mother has shaped the heritage of Latin America and the Caribbean. The maternal love of Mary – through images such as Our Lady of Guadalupe, La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre (The Virgin of Charity), Our Lady of the Rosary, and many others – has touched countless hearts over the centuries. Praying the Rosary continues that tradition of devotion to Our Lady as mother, refuge, comfort, and hope.

The Diocesan Hispanic Mass is another powerful witness to the diversity within the diocese while also demonstrating that everyone is a member of the Body of Christ.

“We are different parts but one body!” said Jahuey. “Regardless of nationality, language, or skin color, we are all welcomed to celebrate in the Eucharist our gifts and the richness of the heritage that makes us unique in the eyes of God.

This year’s Diocesan Hispanic Mass takes place Saturday, October 11, 2025. The celebration begins with a communal Rosary at 10:00 a.m. followed by a procession of flags at 10:30 a.m. and the Mass at 11:00 a.m.

Following the Mass, there will be a reception and a Cultural Encounter featuring Coral Wattaka, a musical group from St. Mark the Evangelist in Tampa. They will sing representative songs from various Latin American and Caribbean countries.

For more information about the Diocesan Hispanic Mass, click here.

For more information about Our Lady of the Rosary, patroness of Guatemala, click here.

For photos from parishes that the image has visited, click the arrows below.