Top photo: Torches of Our Lady of Guadalupe await lighting at the 2025 celebration in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral. Mike Ehrmann photo
Events across the Diocese are set for November and December marking of The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, starting with a traveling torch-lighting tradition known as “Las Antorchas Guadalupanas,” or Torches of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The annual celebration is now in its 11th year and takes place at the 5 p.m. Mass Oct. 24 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
The 2026 theme for the event, “Mother of All,” provides a fitting framework for devotion to Our Lady, who brings the faithful to her Son. The torches serve as tribute to Mary as the bearer of the light of Christ to the world.
Torches are lit at the Mass, and attendants receive a special blessing. From there, the torches and their bearers go forth in a pilgrimage of light to other parishes in the Diocese throughout the remainder of October and the month of November. Participating parishes include St. Paul Parish, Princeton, which will light the Tilma Torch on Nov. 1 at 1 p.m.; St. Joseph Parish, Trenton, where the Apparition Torch will be lit on Nov. 15 at 11:30 a.m.; and Visitation Parish, Brick, where the Empress Torch will be lit at 11 a.m.
The series culminates on Dec. 4, with a Closing of the Torches of Our Lady of Guadalupe event, live and online, in St. Joseph Parish, Toms River. Sponsored by the Diocesan Department of Evangelization and Family Life, the closing will occur at 5:50 p.m. in the church, leading into Mass at 7 p.m. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will serve as principal celebrant of the Mass.
For more information about the 2026 Torches of Guadalupe celebration, visit dioceseoftrenton.org/guadalupe