Our Lady of Guadalupe, or Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, is widely celebrated across the Americas. The feast day holds a special place in the religious life of Mexico and is one of the most popular religious devotions. The faithful believe that the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, an Aztec convert to Christianity, on December 12, 1531.
Locally, a family is chosen each year to host the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe for a year. Photojournalist Aimee Dilger captured the celebration this year for WVIA News.
1 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe001
Parishioners arrive to the Fortoso home, where the two-mile procession will begin to carry the Lady of Guadalupe statue to the St. Nicholas Church on South Washington Ave in Wilkes-Barre.
Aimee Dilger
2 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe002
Parishioners Emily Nieves, Ofelia Tapia, Maria Tapia and Maria Leal wait in the Fortoso home, where the two-mile street procession will begin to carry the Lady of Guadalupe statue to the St. Nicholas Church on South Washington Ave in Wilkes-Barre.
Aimee Dilger
3 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe003
Raizy Fortoso dresses her son, one year-old Harvey, in a Juan Diego costume.
Aimee Dilger
4 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe004
The Our Lady of Guadalupe statue is decorated and waiting in the Fortoso garage.
Aimee Dilger
5 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe005
People dressed as Chinelos dance in the procession. Chinelos are traditional costume dancers. The costume is meant to be a disguise from Europeans during the blending of indigenous and Catholic beliefs.
Aimee Dilger
6 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe006
The Procession begins on North Franklin street where the statue will remain for a year with the Fortoso family.
Aimee Dilger
7 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe007
Danza de los Tecuanes, or Dance of the Jaguar, is performed along the procession route. Locally more women are participating in the dance, which traditionally featured only men. The dance represents a Jaguar hunt.
Aimee Dilger
8 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe008
The two-mile procession goes through the communities in Wilkes-Barre.
Aimee Dilger
9 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe009
The two-mile procession goes through neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre.
Aimee Dilger
10 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe010
A woman waves the Comparsa de Chinelos
Aimee Dilger
11 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe011
People dressed as Chinelos dance in the procession.
Aimee Dilger
12 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe012
Danza de los Tecuanes, or Dance of the Jaguar, is performed along the procession route.
Aimee Dilger
13 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe013.jpg
A man comes out of his house to watch and record the procession.
14 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe014
The procession makes it to St. Nicholas Church after the sun has set.
Aimee Dilger
15 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe015
Before entering the church parishioners sing, dance and pray. Many carry their own Lady of Guadalupe statues.
Aimee Dilger
16 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe016
Upon arrival to the church, the procession erupts into a celebration with a colorful group of spinning, dancing revelers.
Aimee Dilger
17 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe017
The statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe rests on the church steps so parishioners can pray, and dance near it, before it is brought into the church.
Aimee Dilger
18 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe018
Women enter the church on their knees.
Aimee Dilger
19 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe019
A man sets his family's Lady of Guadalupe statue on the altar.
Aimee Dilger
20 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe020
Hortencia Romero kneels before the altar holding a depiction of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Aimee Dilger
21 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe021
Ian Alvarado is dressed as Juan Diego at the Mass for the Feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Aimee Dilger
22 of
— 121222_WVIA_Guadalupe022
Bishop Joseph Bambera celebrates mass in Spanish for the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Aimee Dilger