Last Updated: Wednesday - 01/05/2011

Collins to preside at Guadalupe Mass

EDMONTON — Catholics in the Edmonton Archdiocese are encouraged to attend a special Mass at St. Joseph Basilica to celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m.

Like last year, Archbishop Thomas Collins will preside at the celebration. This year, however, he is expected to emphasize the connection of Our Lady to the coming World Youth Day in Toronto and to development and peace concerns of the world.

A novena in honour of Our Lady of Guadalupe began at St. Andrew's Parish, Dec. 3 in preparation for the feast day of the patroness of all Americas.

Celebrations in different parishes outside Edmonton are also encouraged, said John MacDonald of Family Enrichment Centre, who is coordinating this year's feast.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is recognized as the Mother of All America because of her influence and deep impact on the evangelization of the Americas after the apparitions in 1531.

It has been suggested that her feast day be considered as the third holy day of obligation in North America.

Our Lady of Guadalupe became associated with the pro-life movement because her image shows her carrying the child Jesus in her womb.

Widely known to Spanish-speaking Catholics, her feast day is a spectacular event in Latin America.

Our Lady appeared to a peasant named Juan Diego in 1531. Her image later appeared on his cloak, which is on display in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

This Mexican basilica is the second largest Catholic site for pilgrimage after St. Peter's in Rome.

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