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Rio Rancho, NM (KKOB) – Today, December 12th, is the day of celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Thousands of Catholics in New Mexico, have been participating in celebrations since Thursday, especially at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Santa Fe. The shrine, had early morning mass on Friday and another mass will happen at noon in the capital city. Around the Albuquerque area, there are several masses to honor the virgin and one of them is at the St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Rio Rancho. There, festivities will happen Friday evening with a Mariachi mass at 6pm, followed by a procession and Mexican food dinner with music and dancers.
The Virgin of Guadalupe also known as La Guadalupana, is the appearance of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego, in Mexico in 1531. Thus becoming a powerful symbol of Mexican identity, faith, and the motherly love of God, known for her image appearing miraculously on his cloak (tilma) after she requested a shrine. Her iconic image, is housed inside the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Mexico City.
