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.

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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

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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

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Raizy Fortoso dresses her son, one year-old Harvey, in a Juan Diego costume.
Aimee Dilger

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The Our Lady of Guadalupe statue is decorated and waiting in the Fortoso garage.
Aimee Dilger

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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

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The Procession begins on North Franklin street where the statue will remain for a year with the Fortoso family.
Aimee Dilger

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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

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The two-mile procession goes through the communities in Wilkes-Barre.
Aimee Dilger

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The two-mile procession goes through neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre.
Aimee Dilger

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A woman waves the Comparsa de Chinelos
Aimee Dilger

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People dressed as Chinelos dance in the procession.
Aimee Dilger

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Danza de los Tecuanes, or Dance of the Jaguar, is performed along the procession route.
Aimee Dilger

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A man comes out of his house to watch and record the procession.

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The procession makes it to St. Nicholas Church after the sun has set.
Aimee Dilger

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Before entering the church parishioners sing, dance and pray. Many carry their own Lady of Guadalupe statues.
Aimee Dilger

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Upon arrival to the church, the procession erupts into a celebration with a colorful group of spinning, dancing revelers.
Aimee Dilger

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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

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Women enter the church on their knees.
Aimee Dilger

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A man sets his family's Lady of Guadalupe statue on the altar.
Aimee Dilger

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Hortencia Romero kneels before the altar holding a depiction of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Aimee Dilger

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Ian Alvarado is dressed as Juan Diego at the Mass for the Feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Aimee Dilger

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Bishop Joseph Bambera celebrates mass in Spanish for the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Aimee Dilger