Catholics in Madera are joining millions of people throughout the Americas in celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe, who they believe appeared before a peasant as he was walking on Tepeyac Hill, in the outskirts of México City, in 1531.
The apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe before Juan Diego, who was later canonized a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, led to the conversion of millions of indigenous people to Catholicism.
The last day of a novena — a series of Rosary-praying lasting for nine days — is set to start at 6:30 p.m. today at St. Joachim Catholic Church, 401 W. 5th St. A mass will follow at 7 p.m.
An annual procession, organized by The Guadalupan Society of Madera, is set to leave from Clinton Avenue and Tozer Street at 3 a.m. on Wednesday...