Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Chapel

   The replica of Our Lady of Guadalupe was purchased by Fr. Alvaro (Parochial Vicar) during his visit to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico, City. Fr. Alvaro had the replica (was allowed to come in contact with the original tilma) framed and gifted the image to our parish. With the help of a few good men, the image was placed in its new home in our Parish Chapel on December 18, 2015.

A votive candle stand was purchased soon after to allow people to come and pray as well as light a candle at the foot of the image.

   Fr. William Saunders explains in his article, Shedding Light On the Use of Votive Candles:

"In our Catholic tradition, in early times as well as today, light has a special significance - Christ. Recall Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world. No follower of Mine shall ever walk in darkness; no, he shall possess the light of life' (Jn 8:12) and 'I have come to the world as its light, to keep anyone who believes in Me from remaining in the dark' (Jn 12:46)…The light, then, is a symbol of faith, truth, wisdom, virtue, grace, the divine life, charity, the ardor of prayer and the sacred presence which flow from Christ Himself.

With this background, we can appreciate the usage of votive candles. Here, as in early Christian times, we light a candle before a statue or sacred image of our Lord or of a saint. Of course, we do not honor the statue or the image itself, but the one whom that statue or image represents. The light signifies our prayer offered in faith coming into the light of God. With the light of faith, we petition our Lord in prayer, or petition the saint to pray with us and for us to the Lord. The light also shows a special reverence and our desire to remain present to the Lord in prayer even though we may depart and go about our daily business."