Lights of Faith
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
The streets of Red Bank were filled on the evening of Dec. 12 with more than 1,000 people who came together for a procession in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which culminated in Mass in St. Anthony of Padua Parish. Father Alberto Tamayo, pastor and leader of the procession, noted that it was the first time that the borough had closed down its streets for such a procession, which spread across 10 city blocks, starting at Shrewsbury Avenue and Doctor James Parker Boulevard, heading up Bridge Street and ending at the parish. Many parishioners came dressed in ethnic garb, following a litter upon which stood a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe carried by six men.
The parish has a special celebration for Our Lady of Guadalupe every year on Dec. 12, but this was the first time it organized a procession for the patroness of the Americas, said Salvador Rojas, a coordinator for the event. As the statue depicting the Marian apparition was held high, a mariachi band played songs from Mexico and Mananitas, or songs to Our Lady.
Rojas said it was about 17 degrees Dec. 12, but “no matter how cold it was the people still showed up.” He thanked the Red Bank Police for helping control traffic during the procession. The parish plans to have the procession every year and welcomes anyone who wishes to join.
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The streets of Red Bank were filled on the evening of Dec. 12 with more than 1,000 people who came together for a procession in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which culminated in Mass in St. Anthony of Padua Parish. Father Alberto Tamayo, pastor and leader of the procession, noted that it was the first time that the borough had closed down its streets for such a procession, which spread across 10 city blocks, starting at Shrewsbury Avenue and Doctor James Parker Boulevard, heading up Bridge Street and ending at the parish. Many parishioners came dressed in ethnic garb, following a litter upon which stood a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe carried by six men.
The parish has a special celebration for Our Lady of Guadalupe every year on Dec. 12, but this was the first time it organized a procession for the patroness of the Americas, said Salvador Rojas, a coordinator for the event. As the statue depicting the Marian apparition was held high, a mariachi band played songs from Mexico and Mananitas, or songs to Our Lady.
Rojas said it was about 17 degrees Dec. 12, but “no matter how cold it was the people still showed up.” He thanked the Red Bank Police for helping control traffic during the procession. The parish plans to have the procession every year and welcomes anyone who wishes to join.