In Advent wreaths at churches around the Diocese of Peoria this weekend the rose candle will be lit, marking the Third Sunday of Advent. That rose connection is an important one since Sunday, Dec. 12, is also the day on which the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe traditionally is celebrated.

“We will be wearing rose-colored vestments and there’s Juan Diego with all those roses in his tilma (cloak). It seems an appropriate color for the day,” said Father Adam Stimpson, parochial vicar for the Catholic parishes of LaSalle.

Because liturgical guidelines state that “Sunday must be ranked as the first holy day of all,” the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent are to be used at Masses that day. Attention may be given to Our Lady of Guadalupe, however, and parishes in central Illinois will do that with the singing of “Las Mananitas,” a traditional early-morning serenade to the Blessed Mother; presentations about the apparitions of Mary to St. Juan Diego near present-day Mexico City in 1531; and fiestas complete with Mexican food and dancing.

The Blessed Mother appeared to St. Juan Diego, a poor Aztec Indian, and requested that he convey to the bishop her desire to have a church built. Asked for a sign, she arranged roses in Juan Diego’s cloak and when he opened it in the bishop’s presence, the image of Mary that is now venerated as Our Lady of Guadalupe was revealed.

Pope Pius XII named her “Empress of the Americas” in 1945.

HONORING MARY AT CATHEDRAL,
PATRONAL PARISH IN SILVIS
At St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria, the day will begin at 5 a.m. as the faithful gather to begin their serenade to Mary. Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, will preside at the 12:15 p.m. Spanish Mass, which will be preceded and followed by mariachi music and dancing.

A gathering featuring typical Mexican food is planned at St. Bernard’s parish hall, 509 E. Kansas St., after Mass.

In an effort to give the Third Sunday of Advent its due, the bulk of the activities honoring the Blessed Mother will take place on Saturday, Dec. 11, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Silvis, according to Father Keith Walder, pastor.

A rosary novena that began on Dec. 3 will conclude at 5 p.m. and be followed by Mass at 5:30 p.m. A re-enactment of the apparitions will take place in church and then there will be a procession to the church hall with songs for Our Lady of Guadalupe and a free dinner at 7 p.m.

People are invited to return to church at 11 p.m. for a prayer vigil focusing on Our Lady of Guadalupe that will be led through the night by Father Alfonso Espino Garcia. It will conclude with the singing of “Las Mananitas” and Mass at 5 a.m. on Dec. 12, with a light breakfast following in the church hall.

A re-enactment of the apparitions will be presented again at the regular Spanish Mass at noon. Afterward there will be a potluck reception in the church hall with a program and entertainment.

Anyone wishing to offer roses for the Blessed Mother is asked to bring them to church on Dec. 11 between 8 a.m. and noon.

What follows is information provided to The Catholic Post about other celebrations scheduled throughout the Diocese of Peoria:

— Bloomington: Father Gregg Petri, OFM, parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Church, 527 W. Jackson St., said the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is usually celebrated on the Sunday closest to Dec. 12 and this year’s observance will look very similar to what has been done in the past.
To prepare for the celebration, people have been meeting to pray in homes around the parish for 30 days. They will bring their joy to church at 5 a.m. this Sunday for “Las Mananitas” and dances by the Chichimeca Dancers at 5:45 a.m.
At 1 p.m., Father Gregg will concelebrate Mass with Father Ric Schneider, OFM, pastor, and Father Gerald Ward, pastor of St. Patrick’s Church of Merna. Father Ward will also give the homily.
“Our own choir will be singing this year. We’re really proud,” Father Gregg said. “They have really come a long way.”
There will be more music and dancing at the dinner that follows.

— Depue: “Las Mananitas” will be sung and a rosary prayed at 4:30 a.m. this Sunday at St. Mary’s Church, 312 Park St. The group will share hot chocolate and sweet rolls in the parish hall afterward.
While the Spanish Mass is usually celebrated at noon, it is being moved to 5:30 p.m. to accommodate more people on Dec. 12. There also will be a dinner.

— Galesburg: At St. Patrick’s Church, 858 S. Academy St., a novena that includes the rosary and Benediction is being prayed each evening at 6:30 p.m. through Dec. 11. On Dec. 12, the readings and prayers at the 10:30 a.m. Mass will be those for the Third Sunday of Advent, but there will be a procession of roses presented by those who have made their First Communion this year and the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will have a place of honor. A reception with hot chocolate and cookies will be held after Mass.

— Hoopeston: A Spanish Mass is usually celebrated on the first Sunday of the month at St. Anthony’s Church, 423 S. Third St., but was moved to Dec. 12 this month so the community could honor Our Lady of Guadalupe. The day begins at 6 a.m. with “Las Mananitas” and a rosary in church, and breakfast in the parish hall.
After the noon Mass there will be a recitation of the apparitions of Mary to Juan Diego, and a potluck dinner and music in the parish hall.

— LaSalle: A “novena of preparation” that started on Dec. 3 is being prayed at 7 p.m. each day in St. Hyacinth’s Church, 927 Tenth St., through Dec. 11.
On Sunday, a full mariachi band will accompany “Las Mananitas” at 11:30 a.m., an hour before the regular Spanish Mass at St. Hyacinth’s. The girls of the LaSalle Catholic community, dressed as indigenous princesses, will process into Mass with Father Stimpson.
A statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which will have a place of honor at Mass, will be carried in procession to the church hall after the liturgy. Mexican food will be served and an audiovisual presentation has been prepared.

— Moline: Tradition continues this Sunday at St. Mary’s Church, 412 Tenth St., where “Las Mananitas” with music and dances are planned for 6 a.m. in the church and will be followed by a free breakfast at 8 a.m. At 11 a.m. there will be a Mass with a special focus on Our Lady of Guadalulpe.
There will be more music and dancing after the 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Spanish Masses, and Mexican food will be sold in the cafeteria.

— Streator: While the 1 p.m. Mass at St. Michael the Archangel, 801 Lundy St., is usually celebrated in Spanish and English on Sunday, this weekend there will be mariachi music and a procession of parish children dressed as Mary and Juan Diego and their contemporaries. An image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be brought into Mass and then taken in procession to the parish hall, where home-cooked Mexican food, music and dancing await.
To prepare for the day, people are invited to a prayer vigil with mariachi music that will be held from 11 p.m. on Dec. 11 to 1 a.m. on Dec. 12, according to Msgr. John J. Prendergast, pastor.