Newly lit Guadalupe torches begin monthlong journey around Diocese

October 30, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Msgr. Joseph Roldan, Cathedral rector, lights a torch held by a team captain during an Oct. 26 Mass. The Torches will be traveling to schools and parishes in the Diocese in November. Mike Ehrmann photos
Msgr. Joseph Roldan, Cathedral rector, lights a torch held by a team captain during an Oct. 26 Mass. The Torches will be traveling to schools and parishes in the Diocese in November. Mike Ehrmann photos (Michael Ehrmann)

By Angelica Chicaiza, Correspondent

UPDATED Oct. 30, 2024

Catholics gathered at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton Oct. 26 to launch the 9th annual Traveling Torch Celebration, Las Antorchas Guadalupanas. Throughout November, torches with images of Our Lady will be hosted by parishes and three schools across four counties; this year, representatives from two other dioceses also took torches to their dioceses.

PHOTO GALLERY: Lighting of Guadalupe Torches 2024

The Mass began with torch captains processing to the altar, as attendees chanted, “Que viva la Virgen de Guadalupe” (“Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe”). Four of the 23 torches have pro-life themes; eight are sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

The tradition began as a way of honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, whose feast is Dec. 12. The closing of this year’s Traveling Torch Celebration will be celebrated Dec. 7, with a procession beginning at St. Mary of the Lake Church, Lakewood, and ending at the Holy Family Chapel on East County Line Road. The church and chapel are part of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Josue Arriola, diocesan director of Evangelization and Family Life, said this year’s ceremony included a blessing for all those who support the tradition. Arriola said the Mass also served as “a moving tribute” to the impact and legacy of one such supporter, Emilia Olivos Juarez, who died in February.

Unconditional love

In his homily, Msgr. Joseph Roldan, Cathedral rector, highlighted Jesus as central to the Catholic faith, then shared a story about a young man who took his life, even though he seemed to have everything he needed.

“This is why it’s so important to have a close connection to our Blessed Mother,” Msgr. Roldan said. “Because, even if we’re surrounded by people, we may still feel lonely, still feel that no one cares.”

Like the young man, Msgr. Roldan noted that “we all seek love and may feel isolated despite having everything.”

“When we go before Jesus, or seek comfort at our mother's table, it’s to fulfill that basic need, to share and feel that love – unconditional love. That’s what we seek, that’s what we need. We have a mother who loves us all equally, who takes us by the hand, who believes in heaven.”

Let the Light of Christ shine

Sabino Chicoluna, the pro-life torch captain from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Lakewood, said Our Lady of Guadalupe’s message when she appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 was to build a sacred house: “Our body should be a temple where the light of Christ dwells.”

Belem Perez, who serves as the bilingual administrative assistant for Evangelization and Family Life and is a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, said every time she hears the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe, “it feels like I'm hearing it for the first time.”

“Our hearts are created to receive her son, and every time I hear it, even though I've heard it multiple times, it’s just so powerful,” Perez said.

John Hendrick, District Deputy for The Knights of Columbus and Torch Captain for Monmouth County, expressed his admiration for the devotion the Hispanic cultures show toward Our Lady.

“As a Catholic who grew up in America, discovering Our Lady of Guadalupe has been a great experience, because I see the depth of meaning she brings to the lives of those who grew up knowing her,” he said.

After Mass, the congregation celebrated in the dining hall with food and conversation. “Las Inditas,” seven teen girls, all cousins clad in traditional outfits, danced in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The dancers acknowledged her as "a very good mom" and "a huge inspiration."

To view the schedule of the traveling torches, visit https://dioceseoftrenton.org/guadalupe-pilgrimage-route





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UPDATED Oct. 30, 2024

Catholics gathered at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton Oct. 26 to launch the 9th annual Traveling Torch Celebration, Las Antorchas Guadalupanas. Throughout November, torches with images of Our Lady will be hosted by parishes and three schools across four counties; this year, representatives from two other dioceses also took torches to their dioceses.

PHOTO GALLERY: Lighting of Guadalupe Torches 2024

The Mass began with torch captains processing to the altar, as attendees chanted, “Que viva la Virgen de Guadalupe” (“Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe”). Four of the 23 torches have pro-life themes; eight are sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

The tradition began as a way of honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, whose feast is Dec. 12. The closing of this year’s Traveling Torch Celebration will be celebrated Dec. 7, with a procession beginning at St. Mary of the Lake Church, Lakewood, and ending at the Holy Family Chapel on East County Line Road. The church and chapel are part of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Josue Arriola, diocesan director of Evangelization and Family Life, said this year’s ceremony included a blessing for all those who support the tradition. Arriola said the Mass also served as “a moving tribute” to the impact and legacy of one such supporter, Emilia Olivos Juarez, who died in February.

Unconditional love

In his homily, Msgr. Joseph Roldan, Cathedral rector, highlighted Jesus as central to the Catholic faith, then shared a story about a young man who took his life, even though he seemed to have everything he needed.

“This is why it’s so important to have a close connection to our Blessed Mother,” Msgr. Roldan said. “Because, even if we’re surrounded by people, we may still feel lonely, still feel that no one cares.”

Like the young man, Msgr. Roldan noted that “we all seek love and may feel isolated despite having everything.”

“When we go before Jesus, or seek comfort at our mother's table, it’s to fulfill that basic need, to share and feel that love – unconditional love. That’s what we seek, that’s what we need. We have a mother who loves us all equally, who takes us by the hand, who believes in heaven.”

Let the Light of Christ shine

Sabino Chicoluna, the pro-life torch captain from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Lakewood, said Our Lady of Guadalupe’s message when she appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 was to build a sacred house: “Our body should be a temple where the light of Christ dwells.”

Belem Perez, who serves as the bilingual administrative assistant for Evangelization and Family Life and is a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, said every time she hears the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe, “it feels like I'm hearing it for the first time.”

“Our hearts are created to receive her son, and every time I hear it, even though I've heard it multiple times, it’s just so powerful,” Perez said.

John Hendrick, District Deputy for The Knights of Columbus and Torch Captain for Monmouth County, expressed his admiration for the devotion the Hispanic cultures show toward Our Lady.

“As a Catholic who grew up in America, discovering Our Lady of Guadalupe has been a great experience, because I see the depth of meaning she brings to the lives of those who grew up knowing her,” he said.

After Mass, the congregation celebrated in the dining hall with food and conversation. “Las Inditas,” seven teen girls, all cousins clad in traditional outfits, danced in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The dancers acknowledged her as "a very good mom" and "a huge inspiration."

To view the schedule of the traveling torches, visit https://dioceseoftrenton.org/guadalupe-pilgrimage-route




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