Flagstaff community holds 2022 Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration

Nearly 200 luminarias were placed around Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Chapel by members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces to honor the return of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration on Dec. 12, 2022. Photos by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2022.

FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff community enjoyed the return of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Chapel with the procession from the chapel to St. Francis de Asia Catholic Church on Dec. 11. Once arriving at the church, worshippers attended a Rosary and a play on the origins of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The next day, nearly 200 luminarias lighted the way for worshipers who came to the chapel for the 6 a.m. Rosary, followed by the performance of Mañanitas and a Mass.

Following the mass, worshipers were invited downstairs to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Cultural Center (The Basement) for coffee, hot chocolate and Mexican sweet bread, presented by members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.

Preparations at the chapel began earlier in the week when members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces gathered in the basement for the creation of the nearly 200 bags of sand and the placement of the candles. Members then held a gift exchange to celebrate a successful 2022 which included the annual Summertime Tardeada and Mariachi Festival at the chapel and the 19th annual Celebraciones de la Gente / Dia de Los Muertos celebration at the Museum of Northern Arizona.

Following the luminaria-making session, members then arrived at the chapel at 5 a.m. on Dec. 12 to clear the snow from around the chapel and place and light the luminaries.