November 16, 2021: The people of our Siler City, NC pastoral ministry of St Julia Catholic Community welcomed the lit torch from the Shrine of Guadalupe in Mexico’s “Torch Race” (Carrera Antorcha Guadalupana Mexico New York). For 19 years the Asociación Tepeyac de New York has coordinated the Torch Race to honor the Queen of Mexico, and thus achieve more unity among Mexicans living on both the sides of the Border. The torch left Mexico City on September 5, 2021 and crossed the boarder into the USA, on October 20, 2021.
As the race leg in NC came closer to St. Julia Catholic Community, runners ran along Rt 64 to bring the torch to the parish. The pictures below show the parish runners along the way, with the parish youth in the church courtyard, as they brought it home. Our Lady of the Angels Province friar & pastor of the St. Julia Catholic Community, Fr. Julio Martinez, OFM Conv. is seen reverencing the two images of Our Lady and of St Juan Diego, and then lighting of the Paschal Candle in the church sanctuary, with the “Light of Guadalupe.” The final photo depicts the church ready for the evening celebration of songs, tributes, poetry and dance. December will also hold a week-long celebration at the parish, and the recitation of 38 Rosaries prayed in three different homes every night has already begun, in spiritual preparation for the great Feast, on December 12th. Viva La Virgen de Guadalupe!  Viva Mexico!