Marian replica

August 23 , 2003

Thousands venerate Marian replica

Parishioners and pilgrims crowd the lawn at Southside Park in Sacramento for an outdoor Mass to conclude events on Aug. 17, including veneration of the statue of Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos.
Luis Gris Elizarrarás/
Herald photos

A woman kisses the replica statue
before the Mass.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Sacramento hosted thousands of pilgrims from Northern California Aug. 14-21 for Masses and veneration of the 32-inch replica statue of Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos. The devotion is commonly regarded as the second most popular devotion to the Blessed Mother after Our Lady of Guadalupe. The statue is named for the town in the Mexican state of Jalisco, where the devoted believe a young girl killed in an acrobatic performance was miraculously brought back to life in the 1600s through Mary’s intercession. The 350-year-old statue is a replica of the original image and has traveled around the United States and Mexico for almost three centuries. More than 4,000 people participated in a two-mile procession with the image and prayed the rosary through downtown Sacramento Aug. 17, which was preceded by venerationand a Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Garcia and Legionaries of Christ Father Salvador Gomez, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. During the seven-day event there were several healing Masses, the sacrament of reconciliation, rosaries and opportunities for people to reconnect with the church.

Carlos Montalvo and Yvette Ramirez, in ethnic dress, join with the horsemen of the group, “Friends on Horses,” in the procession as it passes Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.