Mother of God, Woman of Her People

A story that originates from what is now Mexico City, has evolved into an annual expression of faith, culture, and community at Saint Mary’s College. 

During the first week of December, we held our 14th annual celebrations of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Although the Catholic Church celebrates her feast day on December 12, our campus community celebrates La Virgen early, so that students can participate before they depart campus for the Christmas break. This year, the celebrations - spearheaded by the Mission and Ministry Center in collaboration with many campus partners - included annual events such as Candlelight Rosary and Loteria Night, all culminating into Friday evening’s celebration – now known as Día de Fiesta. This year’s theme was “Mother of God, Woman of Her People” a theme also reflected in the curriculum of the Theology and Religious Studies Engaged Learning Our Lady of Guadalupe course.

As students returned from the Thanksgiving break, they were invited to participate in a variety of Our Lady of Guadalupe activities throughout the week. Monday kicked off with an event entitled “Rose, Run, Rosary,” in which students participated in a fun run/walk before entering the SMC Chapel for a special candlelight rosary highlighting the story of La Virgen. Tuesday evening found students playing Loteria, a popular family game throughout Latin America. On Wednesday, students who attended the Stressless Fair could pause for a while and make a bracelet at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Friendship Bracelets table, and that evening students made their own paper flowers as a symbol of beauty and prayer for La Virgen. 

The grand finale was held, as always, on Friday evening. Attended by over 450 Saint Mary’s College students, faculty, staff, alumni, families and other guests, our celebration on December 5 featured Danza Azteca, with the Chapel facade illuminated by Our Lady of Guadalupe. Following the Danza Azteca, the traditional procession through campus led to a special Mariachi Mass in the Saint Mary’s Chapel. The Fiesta began shortly after the Mass in the Soda Center. A buffet dinner catered by Gael Dining featured live Banda music, a raffle, performances by Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano, and dancing late into the night.

This was all made possible by generous donors and sponsors, collaborators, and vendors.

Sponsors

Office of Student Life through the Student Enhancement Fee Grant
Bishop John S. Cummins Institute for Catholic Thought, Culture, and Action
Donation in honor of Nelly Castro
Theology and Religious Studies Department
Other generous donors

Collaborators

Theology and Religious Studies 334 Class
Association of Latino Professionals for America
Baile Folklórico Guadalupano
Brianna Gonzalez
Campus Safety
Center for Women and Gender Equity  Facilities & Able Services
Gael Dining
Hispanic Serving Institution Advisory Council
Institute for Latino and Latin American Studies
Intercultural Center
IT Services
Jason Jakaitis and Gael Media
La Hermandad
Mariachi Club
Meetings, Events, and Conference Services
SMC Print Shop
Rosary Group
Spanish Conversation and Culture Club
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
Wellness Committee  

Ministers

Fr. Enrico (Rico) Hernandez, IVDei
Fr. Thomas (Tom) McElligott
All Liturgical Ministers 

Vendors

Danza Xitlalli
Mariachi Monumental
La Realezza Norteña