December 9, 2009

Honoring Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe

By John Gleason

As the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe approaches a statue of her that has been on display at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, has been restored to its original condition. 

The feast of our Lady of Guadalupe, observed Dec. 12, commemorates appearances of Mary to Juan Diego, an Indian peasant, in Mexico in 1531. A basilica in Mexico City honoring Mary under this title holds a miraculous image of her that appeared on Diego’s tilma (cloak) and convinced the local bishop to honor her request, made through the peasant, for a shrine to be built on Tepeyac Hill. Her apparitions are said to have resulted in millions of conversions to Catholicism. The feast of St. Juan Diego is today, Dec. 9, and marks the first of Mary’s four visits to him.

During recent renovations to the Denver cathedral, which is located at the corner of Colfax Avenue and Logan Street, it was discovered that the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe had become damaged, according to Msgr. Thomas Fryar, V.G., pastor of the cathedral.

“The 4-foot tall statue was being removed so work could be done to the walls,” he said.  “In moving the statue we discovered that it had deteriorated in some places—broken pieces and such. It was in need of being touched up.”
Msgr. Fryar said he believes the statue came to the cathedral in the 1970s when some renovations were being done.  But the statue itself is considerably older than that.

“It’s old, could be as much as 75 years or more,” said Michael Gerken of Gerken’s Religious Supplies, who oversaw the restoration process.  “As you examine it you see fine detail and artistry you don’t find in statues made today. It’s a fine piece of art but over the years it got dinged up from being moved or people touching it.

“This statue had broken pieces around the base and contained a great deal of soot because of all the candles lit in front of it over the years.”

Gerken estimated it took some 10 hours to bring the statue back to its original form.

“Remember that statues such as Our Lady of Guadalupe were created by artists,” he said.  “Finding someone who is skilled at this sort of restoration can be difficult, but we have someone who we’ve worked with for many years.  They restored the plaster and gave it a new paint job and the statue looks good as new.”

The job was completed ahead of schedule and the statue was returned to its place in a side chapel of the cathedral.  Msgr. Fryar was pleased that the restoration was completed in time for the feast day.

“It’s nice to have it back in place, in a condition that bespeaks the dignity and the praise we want to offer Mary’s feast day,” he said.  “It’s more appealing and attractive to people as they come forward to venerate Our Lady who came among us to tell us to not be afraid.”

Msgr. Fryar invites all the faithful to view the restored statue and participate in the 5:45 p.m. Sunday vespers that precede the 6:30 p.m. Mass during the Advent season.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day Festivities & Liturgies

Many parishes will have special liturgies and events to mark the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Consult your parish's bulletin or call your parish office to see what programs are scheduled in your parish. 

Here is a list of some of the events already scheduled:

Gabriel House
The public is invited to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a Christmas gathering from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 12 at Gabriel House, located next to St. James Parish, 1341 Oneida St., Denver.  Come enjoy food, beverages and door prizes. 

St. Dominic’s
St. Dominic Church, 3053 W. 29th Ave. in Denver, is offering a week of Marian devotions, which started Dec. 8 and will run through Dec. 12. Call 303-455-3613.

Holy Family
Holy Family Church, 4083 Utica St. in Denver, will honor the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe beginning with Mass at 4 p.m. Dec. 12 followed by a procession and a fiesta in the Parish Center.  Entertainment will include the Ballet Folklorico, Matachines and Mariachis.

Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fatima, 1985 Miller St. in Lakewood, will hold a Guadalupe festival on Dec. 12.  During the 5 p.m. Mass flowers will be presented before a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Following Mass there will be a celebration to include a traditional Mexican meal, door prizes, religious items for sale and entertainment.  Cost of the dinner is $8 adult, $4 children; children 3 and under eat free.

Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 1209 W. 36th Ave. in Denver, will have a serenade to Our Lady of Guadalupe at 11 a.m. Dec. 11. A presentation of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 12.

St. Joseph
St. Joseph Church, 605 W. Sixth Ave. in Denver, will offer 6 a.m. Mass Dec. 12 followed by a breakfast in the gym.

Our Lady of Grace
Our Lady of Grace, 2645 E. 48th Ave. in Denver, will offer a bilingual Mass at noon Dec. 12 followed by a bazaar, which goes until 5 p.m.

St. Anthony of Padua
St. Anthony of Padua Church, 3801 W. Ohio Ave. in Denver, will offer Mass at 6 a.m. Dec. 12, followed by bread and chocolate.  Dance and procession begin at 1:30 p.m. and a talk about the tilma of Juan Diego.

St. Augustine
St. Augustine Church, 675 E. Egbert St. in Brighton, will offer Mass at 9 a.m. Dec. 12,  followed by breakfast in church basement.

St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel Church, 19099 E. Floyd Ave. in Aurora, will offer Mass at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 followed by dinner.  Tickets for the meal are $7 per person.

Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart Church, 2760 Larimer St. in Denver, will offer singing at 6:30 a.m. on Dec. 12 with Mariachi music and procession followed by breakfast.  Mass celebrated by Msgr.  Jorge de Los Santos at 10 a.m.

St. Clare of Assisi
Saint Clare of Assisi, 31622 U.S. Highway 6 in Edwards, will offer a bazaar from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Dec. 12, featuring music and folk dancing.

St. Mary
St. Mary, 215 Capitol St. in Eagle, will offer Mass at 6 a.m. Dec. 12 with a celebration to follow at 7 a.m. and a movie about Our Lady of Guadalupe to be shown at 8:30 a.m.