Mass in Spanish at St. Stephen's honors Our Lady of Guadalupe

WARWICK — On Saturday evening, Dec. 10, the Latino community held its usual first Saturday Spanish Mass at the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, in Warwick.
The Mass, celebrated by Rev. Lorenzo Laboy, was also held in anticipation of the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is Dec. 12.
Judy Battista, an advocate for the growing Latino community, reported that children, dressed in traditional clothing, brought gifts and flowers to the Virgin Mary and the Spanish choir sang traditional Mexican songs.
Afterwards, she added, the congregation gathered in the St. Stephen-St. Edward School cafeteria for traditional homemade foods, which everyone brought, including tamales, atoles, tostaditos, and other foods for the feast day.
Then a special "Danza," was performed to honor the Virgin of La Guadalupe by three different groups: Los Chinelos de San Pedro who came from New York City, The Comparza de Chinelos from Middletown and Los Charros Negros, all in full colorful costumes. Everyone joined in the festivities and all were singing "Que viva la Virgen de Guadalupe."
Juan Diego and the Virgin MaryBattista said that Latinos from this area, in particular those from Mexico, celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a title of the Virgin Mary, with much fervor.
The story behind the famous image, she explained, begins in 1531 when a peasant, Juan Diego, claimed that he had an apparition of a young pregnant girl at the Hill of Tepeyac outside Mexico City.
The girl requested that a church be built on that site in her honor.
Diego then understood she was the Virgin Mary and told the story to the Archbishop of Mexico City, who instructed him to ask her for a miraculous sign.
Diego reported that the young woman told him to gather flowers and although it was December and beyond the growing season, he discovered roses that were not even native to the area.
When he opened his cloak before the Bishop, the flowers fell to the floor and inside his garment was the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, now displayed in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
Spanish ministrySpanish Masses are celebrated every first and third Saturday of the month at 7 p.m.
Upcoming special celebrations include the Posadas, Dec. 18 and the Mass of the Epiphany, Jan. 7.
"Everyone," said Battista, "is welcome to attend and experience the vibrant culture and faith of our community. We are grateful to our pastor, Father Jack Arlotta, our parochial vicar Father Lorenzo Laboy and the parish of St. Stephen the First Martyr for opening the doors to this growing Spanish ministry."
- Roger Gavan