The Deacon's Bench
Behold, an annual tradition known as “Honor Your Mother.” The Catholic Sun reports:
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.
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.”
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted and Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo A. Nevares, stood on the stage in front of the Phoenix Convention Center for more than an hour as the parade made its way past. Both bishops commented on the presence of the many infants and small children at the event.
“You can see the faith is being transmitted from parents to children,” Bishop Nevares said. “It’s wonderful to see that the faith isn’t just for older people. Thank you, parents and grandparents, for passing on the faith.”
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