Maria Luna has had a special devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe ever since learning about the Blessed Mother as a little girl growing up in Mexico.
That is one reason why the parishioner of St. Ann Parish, Browns Mills, has celebrated the Diocese’s traveling Guadalupe torches with her parish for the past three years. This is the first time, however, she and her husband are serving as torch captains.
“For me it’s very beautiful. I never thought we would be able to find something like this in the States,” Luna said. “It makes my heart happy.”
Photo Gallery: Lighting of the Traveling Guadalupe Torches
Luna and her husband, Andrés, were among the hundreds of faithful to attend Mass Oct. 26 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, as 16 torches were blessed and illuminated for the beginning of Las Antorchas Guadalupanas.
In its fourth year, the annual diocesan pilgrimage of traveling torches honors the Blessed Mother under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The torches will now journey throughout the four counties in the Diocese of Trenton, visiting various parish or school sites. They will come together again Dec. 7 for a pilgrimage through Trenton and Mass at the city’s St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral.
In his homily, Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, diocesan vicar general and pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, spoke on the Sunday Gospel from Luke about the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. He directed the faithful to seek Mary, the Mother of God, as a “model of authentic prayer,” unlike the Pharisee.
“Mary directs us to her son, who will come as the only ‘just judge,’” he said. “She bids us throughout our life, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ This evening, we shall light torches that will make their way through the four counties of the Diocese. I pray that they will remind us of Mary’s invitation to open the dimensions of our prayer and to turn to God in a united, in a preserving and in a humble way.”
Preparing the torches for their month-long journey, torch captains presented their Guadalupe torches to Msgr. Gervasio for a blessing. “God of power, who enlightens the world and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin, as we honor the Virgin Mother of your Son, Our Lady of Guadalupe, send the light of these torches as they go throughout our Diocese to illuminate our minds and hearts so that they may reflect always the splendor of Christ who is Lord forever and ever. Amen.”
Following the Mass, which was concelebrated by Msgr. Sam Sirianni and Father Arian Wharff, Co-Cathedral pastor and parochial vicar, respectively, as well as Father Jorge Arias, parochial vicar of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold, a celebration was held in the parish center, where faithful from around the Diocese performed traditional songs and dances and enjoyed homemade Mexican dishes.
“This is my first time here, I am very excited and looking forward to being captain,” shared Guadalupe Marin, a torch captain and parishioner in St. Joseph Parish, Toms River. “We have the torch for two weeks, so each day one of our parish ministries has something planned.”
She said she believes parishes hosting the torch have a unique opportunity to unite their parish family. “The torch joins the community, all parts, Hispanics and Anglos. Everyone can participate, so it is very unifying,” she said.
Deputy Knight Peter Donchak and parishioner of St. Antony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, was pleased to once again take part in the Mass and torch celebration.
“I am handling all of the councils in Mercer County for the Knights,” he explained. “To be able to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe is so rewarding.She means so much, and she means a lot to me personally. Anything I can do to praise her, I am more than honored.”
Joshua Cruz, 15, from St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold, accompanied the Co-Cathedral’s music ministry during the Mass. “The celebration brings together different communities and different cultures; the music and the dances are all to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is something special.”
One of those performers, Felix Hernandez of Mother of Mercy Parish, Asbury Park, said it was a good feeling to take part in the Mass and celebration for the first time. “I am using my talents, and it feels special.”
As for Luna, she plans to be walking once again in the December pilgrimage through Trenton. After being confined to a wheelchair many years ago, she believes it was through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe that she can walk again. Her pilgrimage walk, she said, will honor Our Lady.