The 94th procession in Los Angeles honors Our Lady of Guadalupe

The oldest procession in Los Angeles, the 94th annual East Los Angeles Guadalupe Procession, was held on Sunday December 7. It was started by immigrants who fled from Mexico to America in 1931 to escape religious persecution during the Cristero War.

Hundreds of people joined the procession on Sunday, starting at Our Lady of Solitude Parish, and making their way east along Cesar Chavez Avenue and ending with Mass at East Los Angeles College. At the start of the procession, Archbishop Jose Gomes placed flowers at the base of one of the carts carrying a painting of Our Lady Guadalupe.

This year’s theme is “Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cause of Our Joy and Hope.” The celebration is tied to the Dec. 12 feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the most important events in Mexican Catholic tradition.