Hope Fills Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Denver During Traditional Feast Day Celebrations
- Rocio Madera
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
Neither the December Colorado cold nor the late hours of the night could keep thousands of Guadalupan faithful from gathering on Thursday, December 11, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Denver to sing the traditional mañanitas to the Morenita of Tepeyac on her feast day.
Like every year, the areas surrounding the shrine were filled with devotees eager to honor our Blessed Mother. Some arrived carrying a rose, others with a song. Many simply approached the altar to give thanks for her intercession and to place the intentions of their hearts into her hands.
The celebration began at 7:00 p.m. with a concert by the children’s choir, followed by the adult choir. At 11:00 p.m., the traditional Midnight Mass began, celebrated by Bishop Jorge Rodríguez.
In his homily, Bishop Rodríguez highlighted the devotion of the people, especially the most humble, to Our Lady of Guadalupe. He emphasized the Guadalupan message, which, today more than ever, is directed toward the immigrant community.
“Many of us, and many of our brothers and sisters, are living this time in fear, sadness and uncertainty. Once again, that poor and suffering people — those who flee violence and death, who seek shelter and food for their children, who struggle to offer their families a dignified future, and who must leave their land and their people to migrate — need to turn to their Mother Mary to find comfort and hope,” he said.
He then connected his message to the Jubilee Year of Hope, which reminds us that “Christian hope is not simple human optimism, but the certainty that God fulfills his promises and leads us to eternal life.”
(Photos by Juan Andrés Coriat)
Bishop Rodriguez pointed to Mary as a model of hope, for she fully trusted in God amid moments of darkness and continues today to guide us to place our trust in the Lord.
“Nothing was capable of breaking that absolute trust she had in God,” he affirmed.
In this way, he invited the immigrant community, which today lives amid uncertainty, to take refuge under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, where they can be assured that they are not alone.
“To our immigrant brothers and sisters, we are with you in your suffering, for if one member suffers, all suffer. You are not alone!” he said, emphasizing that the Church stands beside them and shares in their suffering, as expressed by the bishops of the United States and the bishops of Colorado during the recent Stations of the Cross and the special Mass for migrants.
Bishop Rodriguez recalled the words spoken to St. Juan Diego and invited the faithful to place their complete trust in Mary’s maternal love.
“The message of the Virgin of Guadalupe for all of us, in whatever situation we may find ourselves now or in the future, is meant to remind us: ‘Am I not here, I who am your mother? What do you lack? Do not be afraid.’”
For the Guadalupan faithful who arrived at the shrine, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe represents a beacon of hope amid life’s turbulence.
“She is everything for us, and we have great faith in her. We have moved forward and continue believing thanks to her,” said Iván, who has placed the health of his wife, Olivia, in the hands of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
“Especially this year that I have been ill, we have prayed to her a lot so that I may get healed,” Olivia added, visibly moved.
Likewise, many devotees of Our Lady of Guadalupe chose to drive longer distances to reach Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Denver and participate in the celebration.
“We like coming all the way here. Since we arrived in Colorado, we have come every year. From a young age, we were taught love for the Virgin of Guadalupe, and that’s why we are here today,” shared Gabriel and Esmeralda, who live in the northern part of the city.
Desiree grew up in a family where the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe never went unnoticed.
“It’s something very powerful. From a very young age, I have always had a very strong feeling of protection under her. In my family, we always had a giant image of her hanging in our home, and every year we would sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her and come here to church to celebrate her. She is my family,” she shared with the Denver Catholic, showing how Our Lady of Guadalupe continues to awaken hope and closeness in those who seek her.
Meanwhile, filled with gratitude and devotion, Nancy attended a celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe at the shrine for the first time this year.
“We came to thank her for her blessings — for my baby, that we all have work. Despite everything that is happening, we are doing well right now, thanks be to God,” she said, while holding her little one in her arms.
In this way, hundreds of Guadalupan faithful passed through Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine to give thanks, present their petitions or simply seek the maternal embrace of the Morenita, placing all their trust in her.
At the conclusion of the Midnight Mass, the traditional mariachi serenade (mañanitas) filled the atmosphere with emotion. Many, some with tears in their eyes, approached the altar to congratulate “Lupita” on her feast day, filled with faith and hope before returning to their homes.
Bishop Rodriguez concluded the celebration with the well-known acclamation, “Long live the Virgin of Guadalupe, long live Christ the King!” to which those present responded with a unified shout that made the shrine resonate with faith and joy: “Long live!”
