Diocese unites in prayer as collected intentions head to the Basilica in Mexico
On Oct. 25, the faithful gathered in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, to mark the beginning of the 2025 traveling torches in celebration of the Dec. 12 feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The 23 torches were displayed in parishes and schools within and beyond the four counties of the Diocese throughout the month of November.
PHOTO GALLERY: Our Lady of Guadalupe Torches around the Diocese
Although the closing Mass in Lakewood was cancelled, all petitions collected from parishioners during the parish torch visits will be taken to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico for the feast day of St. Juan Diego and the second annual Guadalupe Torch Congress, Dec. 9.
Closing prayers to mark the end of the six-week Our Lady of Guadalupe Torches observance were recited in participating parishes across the Diocese on the Second Sunday of Advent.
Students from St. Joseph School, Toms River, welcomed the Star Torch Nov. 10. After learning about Our Lady of Guadalupe, the students led a schoolwide procession and prayed the Rosary.
Prayer to conclude the Procession of Torches 2025
Father Walter Quiceno, parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish in Barnegat, gathers with parishioners around the Flower Torch following the Nov. 2 Mass.
Heavenly Father, We come before You at the close of this blessed procession of torches, united with other parishes of the Diocese of Trenton, carrying the light of faith that has guided our steps.
Through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas, we thank You for the gift of her presence among us. She is our star of evangelization, our comfort in trials, and our mother who draws us ever closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Lord, bless every parish that has joined in this pilgrimage of light. May the torches we carried be a symbol of the fire of Your love burning in our hearts, and may that flame never be extinguished.
Grant that, inspired by Our Lady’s tenderness and courage, we may continue to walk together as one family of faith—defending life, serving the poor, and proclaiming the Gospel with joy.
We entrust our diocese, our parish, our families, and our communities to the loving care of Our Lady of Guadalupe. May she wrap us in her mantle, protect us from harm, and lead us always to Christ.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us
Father Michel McClane, pastor of Holy Eucharist Parish, Tabernacle, welcomes the Tilma Torch Nov. 22 as it makes its final stop in the diocesan pilgrimage.
Torch captains deliver petitions during Guadalupe Congress in Mexico