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Harlem View is a blog with an eye on community, culture, art, food and life in and around Harlem. It is a product of CCNY Journalism Program in collaboration with the Documentary Forum.

Neighbors December 24, 2021

by Jennifer Garcia

Brooklyn and Queens Celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe

Worshipers arrive early the next day on December 12th to participate in the Carrera Guadalupana. Many came from Brooklyn and Queens.

Altar for The Virgin of Guadalupe in St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church

The Mexican community of St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church created an altar for the Virgin of Guadalupe.The Mexican community of St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church created an altar for the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Portrait of the Virgin of Guadalupe in St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church.Portrait of the Virgin of Guadalupe in St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church.

Alter for the Virgin of Guadalupe adorned with flowers.

To prepare for the Feast of The Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexican parishioners from St. Matthew’s Church created an altar adorned with flowers and the Mexican flag.To prepare for the Feast of The Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexican parishioners from St. Matthew's Church created an altar adorned with flowers and the Mexican flag.

Parishioner kneeling in front of alter leading a prayer.

Worshipers at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church held a mass on the evening of December 11th to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe. They brought their prayers and intentions. A parishioner led the attendees in a rosary.Worshipers at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church held a mass on the evening of December 11th to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe. They brought their prayers and intentions. A parishioner led the attendees in a rosary.

Parishioners lined up at the alter of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Worshipers gather in front of altar to gaze at the altar and take photos with the elaborate arrangement during the mass on December 11h.Worshipers gather in front of altar to gaze at the altar and take photos with the elaborate arrangement during the mass on December 1th.

El Mariachi Bustamante pose in front of the alter.

Mariachi bands are an integral part of the celebration. The Mariachi Bustamante has played at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church during the December celebrations for seven years.Mariachi bands are an integral part of the celebration. The Mariachi Bustamante has played at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church during the December celebrations for seven years.

Parishioners gathered in front of St. Matthew's Church.

Worshipers arrive early the next day on December 12th to participate in the Carrera Guadalupana. Many came from Brooklyn and Queens.Worshipers arrive early the next day on December 12th to participate in the Carrera Guadalupana. Many came from Brooklyn and Queens.

Parishioners waiting for train in the station.

On December 12, worshipers filled subway stations early on their way to La Carrera Guadalupana of Brooklyn & Queens at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph. St. Joseph Church serves as a co-cathedral to the Cathedral Basilica of St. James to accommodate larger masses.On December 12, worshipers filled subway stations early on their way to La Carrera Guadalupana of Brooklyn & Queens at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph. St. Joseph Church serves as a co-cathedral to the Cathedral Basilica of St. James to accommodate larger masses.

Others arrived early on December 12 from Brooklyn and Queens ready for the celebration. They lined up to enter the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph. The new Brooklyn Bishop Robert J. Brennan led the service for the Carrera Guadalupana.Others arrived early on December 12 from Brooklyn and Queens ready for the celebration. They lined up to enter the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph. The new Brooklyn Bishop Robert J. Brennan led the service for the Carrera Guadalupana.

Van decorated with a Mexican flag and portrait of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Parishes decorated cars with Mexican flags, portraits of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and flower arrangements. The vehicles carried speakers that played songs of praise. They drove alongside members of their churches as they walked with the “Light of Christ” given and blessed by the bishop.Parishes decorated cars with Mexican flags, portraits of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and flower arrangements. The vehicles carried speakers that played songs of praise. They drove alongside members of their churches as they walked with the "Light of Christ" given and blessed by the bishop.

Van adorned with an arch of flowers, a Mexican flag and a portrait of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

A Queens parish decorated their church car with an elaborate arch of flowers, a large portrait of The Virgin of Guadalupe and a large Mexican flag.A Queens parish decorated their church car with an elaborate arch of flowers, a large portrait of The Virgin of Guadalupe and a large Mexican flag.

Newly ordained Bishop Robert J. Brennan, addresses the community outside the church.

The secretary of the co-cathedral introduced parishioners to the newly ordained Bishop Robert J. Brennan. He said he was excited to celebrate the mass and said he looked forward to working with the community in the future.The secretary of the co-cathedral introduced parishioners to the newly ordained Bishop Robert J. Brennan. He said he was excited to celebrate the mass and said he looked forward to working with the community in the future.

Parishioners watch the live mass on televisions outside the church.

Worshipers from than 60 parishes from Brooklyn and Queens came to the St. Joseph for the mass. Strict COVID-19 guidelines (reduced church occupancy) inside the church prevented all from entering. Those left out gathered around televisions set up by the church to view the live-streamed mass.Worshipers from than 60 parishes from Brooklyn and Queens came to the St. Joseph for the mass. Strict COVID-19 guidelines (reduced church occupancy) inside the church prevented all from entering. Those left out gathered around televisions set up by the church to view the live-streamed mass.

Participant from St. Matthew's church carries a torch lit by the bishop.

Members of St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church lit torches and lined up to begin their walk from the co-cathedral to their church.Members of St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church lit torches and lined up to begin their walk from the co-cathedral to their church.

Parishioners line up in three lines.

After they received the “Light of Christ” blessed by the bishop, the parishioners from St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church form three lines to begin their procession from the co-cathedral to their parish.After they received the "Light of Christ" blessed by the bishop, the parishioners from St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church form three lines to begin their procession from the co-cathedral to their parish.

With over 60 runners, they routinely switched positions, so each had the opportunity to carry the torch and the church banner.With over 60 runners, they routinely switched positions, so each had the opportunity to carry the torch and the church banner.

Parishioners walking in procession holding torches and the church banner.

St. Matthew’s runners eagerly waited for their turn to carry the church banner and torch. 2021 was their biggest celebration with 60 runners from their church, their most ever.St. Matthew's runners eagerly waited for their turn to carry the church banner and torch. 2021 was their biggest celebration with 60 runners from their church, their most ever.

Father receives parishioners in front of the church.

After walking 2.5 miles, the runners arrived at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church. Father Ralph received them and accepted the “Light of Christ.” Then, they gathered inside for a short service.After walking 2.5 miles, the runners arrived at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church. Father Ralph received them and accepted the "Light of Christ." Then, they gathered inside for a short service.

Father serenading the Virgin of Guadalupe with mariachi.

At St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church, Father Ralph, accompanied by the mariachi band, sang a song of praise for the Virgin of Guadalupe in Latin before delivering his sermon.At St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church, Father Ralph, accompanied by the mariachi band sang a song of praise for the Virgin of Guadalupe in Latin before delivering his sermon.