Our Lady of Guadalupe is known as the Patroness of the Americas, a title she was given by St. John Paul II in 1999.
He also declared that her feast day would be Dec. 12 and a day of celebration in churches across the Americas.
This year, the Diocese of St. Augustine’s celebration will be highlighted by a Mass celebrated by Bishop Erik Pohlmeier at St. Joseph Catholic Church beginning at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11.
Mañanitas con mariachi will be sung to serenade Our Lady of Guadalupe at 6 p.m. prior to the Mass.
An Aguinaldo Mass is a special series of early morning Masses celebrated in the days leading up to Christmas, particularly in Puerto Rico and some parts of Latin America, and is usually held over nine days similar to Simbang Gabi in the Philippines.
The word “Aguinaldo” comes from Spanish, meaning “gift” or “offering.”
The Aguinaldo Masses are seen as a spiritual gift to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary in anticipation of Christ’s birth.
These Masses express joyful preparation for Christmas — combining faith, music, and community celebration.
The Masses are often celebrated at dawn, around 4 or 5 a.m., symbolizing the light of Christ breaking into the darkness.
Below is a schedule of Aguinaldo Masses at St. Joseph Catholic Church this year.
