Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day Mass

The Diocese of Lafayette celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe tonight! It was standing room only for the bilingual celebration which was held at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette. The Mass commemorates the appearance of Mary to the Mexican peasant Juan Diego in 1531. The celebration, sponsored by St. John's Cathedral and the Hispanic Ministry of the Diocese of Lafayette began with a procession including indigenous dancers, Hispanic Youth Groups from throughout the Diocese, the Spanish Chapter of the Knights of Columbus, the Diocesan Hispanic Choir, and children dressed as Juan Diego and Our Lady, carrying flowers. Bishop Douglas Deshotel was the main celebrant, and the concelebrants included Fr. Alexander Albert, Fr. Andrew Kirschman, Fr. Randy Courville, and Fr. Francois Sainte-Marie. Assisting in the Mass were Deacon Jose Vincente Blanco, Deacon Juan Pagán, and Deacon Jim Kincel. A reception followed in Cathedral Hall. Our Lady of Guadalupe pray for us!