Thousands of people were drawn to the streets of downtown Phoenix Dec. 6 in our outpouring of love for Our Lady of Guadalupe at the annual Honor Your Mother event. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands of people were drawn to the streets of downtown Phoenix Dec. 6 in our outpouring of love for Our Lady of Guadalupe at the annual Honor Your Mother event. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands of people were drawn to the streets of downtown Phoenix Dec. 6 in an outpouring of love for Our Lady of Guadalupe at the annual Honor Your Mother celebration.
Phoenix police shut down traffic to allow for the parade of colorfully arrayed participants in a procession that stretched from Immaculate Heart of Mary Church all the way to the area just outside St. Mary’s Basilica and the Diocesan Pastoral Center.

Honor Your Mother Photo Gallery


Dozens of dance groups, many bearing images of Our Lady of Guadalupe on sequined costumes and feathered head dresses, twirled in unison down the street, beating drums and shaking maracas. Many held statues of the Blessed Mother adorned with roses and banners that proclaimed the name of their parish or prayer group.
Alicia Delgado of St. Mark parish was carrying her nearly 2-year-old nephew, dressed as a tiny St. Juan Diego. The toddler, who sported a marker mustache and miniature tilma, had fallen asleep in her arms in spite of the drumming of matachine groups that made their way down Monroe Street.
“We come every year to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe,” Delgado said. “He’s little and doesn’t understand what’s going on, but we want to involve him anyway.”

Read it all: http://www.catholicsun.org/2014/12/08/outpouring-of-love-faith-draws-thousands-to-vibrant-honor-your-mother-celebration/