Millions of people around the world are celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe Day on Friday, Dec. 12.
Festivities in Des Moines began on Thursday, marking a 24-hour period of prayer, music and dance.
What is Our Lady of Guadalupe Day?
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the name given to the Virgin Mary when she appeared before St. Juan Diego in 1531. She later became a symbol for Mexico’s War of Independence in 1810. The same banner later became the first flag of Mexico and a national emblem.
While the main feast day is Dec. 12, the festivities actually begin the night before. In Mexico, the day is observed as a religious and cultural holiday and is particularly significant for Catholic communities of Mexican heritage.
Where are Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations happening in the Des Moines metro area?
- Sacred Heart Church at 1627 Grand Ave. in West Des Moines: 5:30 p.m. Rosary in Spanish, followed by an outdoor procession and at 6:30 p.m., a bilingual mass
- St Anthony Parish at 15 Indianola Road in Des Moines: 5 p.m. Bilingual rosary, 6 p.m. mass in Spanish, folliwed by a procession and parish hall celebration at 7 p.m.
- Our Lady of the Americas at 1271 E. Ninth St, in Des Moines: Mass at 5:30 p.m.
Hola America News has a list of more celebrations across Iowa…