350 participate in annual Our Lady of Guadalupe procession

Published January 5, 2022

About 350 people participated in the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe procession Dec. 11, between St. Mary Church in North Little Rock and St. Edward Church in Little Rock. The 2½-hour procession included praying the rosary in English and Spanish and traditional Matachines dancers from St. Jude Church in Jacksonville, St. Anne and St. Mary churches in North Little Rock and St. Theresa and St. Edward churches in Little Rock. 

Religious orders like sisters from Missionary Catechists of the Poor and Daughters of Charity attended, along with diocesan seminarians and other parish groups. Last year, a celebration was held, but not a procession because of COVID-19. The processions celebrate the feast day, Dec. 12, of when the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego in Mexico four times in the 1500s. 

“It was a beautiful time praying together and dancing and showing our faith to the people of the city,” said Father Rubén Quinteros, pastor of St. Mary and Immaculate Heart of Mary churches in North Little Rock. 

He said people were stopping to take pictures and pray with them. The pilgrims arrived at St. Edward around 11:30 a.m. after their roughly three-mile trek to celebrate Mass with Bishop Anthony B. Taylor. Father Quinteros said he concelebrated the Mass along with local pastors Fathers Juan Manjarrez, Martin Siebold, Emmanuel Torres and Joseph de Orbegozo. A reception was held after Mass. 

“I believe that is a way for the people to express their faith and love for our lady. That is not only a private devotion, but a manifestation of what we can do publicly,” Father Quienteros said of the procession, a popular tradition for Latino communities here and around the world. “It is a way to feel at home, to be proud and not afraid to express their love for Our Lady.”