Sacred Heart of Jesus/Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Dover held a Mass on Dec. 11 in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of Mexico and Empress of America. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney was the main celebrant of the Mass, which brought together the parish’s Spanish-speaking community.
Father Leonardo Lopez, pastor of Sacred Heart/Holy Rosary, and Father Cerilo Javinez, the parish’s parochial vicar, concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Sweeney. The Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12.
Many Sacred Heart/Holy Rosary parishioners dressed in costumes and garments of their native countries and cultures for the Mass.
Parishes throughout the diocese, especially with a significant Spanish-speaking population, marked the feast to celebrate the event when the Blessed Mother appeared before St. Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531.
— Michael Wojcik
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
