Virgin of Guadalupe Celebrations in Cancún

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Activities for the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, celebrated annually on December 12, will begin in Cancún starting December 2.

The bishop of the diocese, Pedro Pablo Elizondo Cárdenas, suggested that it would be appropriate to consider this date as a business holiday to make it easier for more people to participate in the commemorations.

The prelate noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Cancún, for which special events have been organized.

“On December 2, we will have a retreat for priests; there will be numerous pilgrimages and processions from all the parishes. At the sanctuary, the faithful will be able to obtain indulgences, and we will also hold our retreat day there,” he said.

Regarding the traditional pilgrimages, the bishop estimated that, as usual, thousands of torchbearers will take to the highways heading to various Guadalupe sanctuaries, whether walking, by bicycle, motorcycle, or car.

He added that next year will feature the visit of the so-called “touched tilma,” a replica of the Virgin of Guadalupe’s cloak that has been in contact with the original and will tour various points in the state.

He also highlighted that this will be a jubilee year.

The bishop commented that one of the aspects that most excites him during these times is seeing not only the parishes participating but also hotel employees, who organize their own processions during the novena.

“They gather by hotel and advance with music along the entire Kukulcán Boulevard, then continue along Bonampak Avenue,” he detailed.

However, he lamented that some companies do not grant permits for workers to join these activities.

For this reason, he called on employers to facilitate an afternoon off and asked the Benito Juárez municipality for Civil Protection to accompany the processions.

“With one or two Civil Protection motorcycles, it would be enough to reduce risks, as many groups advance along the edge or even in the middle of the road, alongside traffic,” he warned.

The bishop emphasized that the presence of the tilma in the diocese is a special sign.

“The Virgin comes to visit us, as she appeared to Juan Diego, to show us the love of her son Jesus Christ: to accompany us, strengthen our faith, illuminate our path, and protect us,” he expressed.