Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Plans Procession and Unity after Vandalism
John Palminteri
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church is set for a procession Thursday evening as part of the traditional Feast Day events in Santa Barbara.
This comes after recent vandalism with to a mosaic shrine on the church property badly damaged by a man police arrested who was allegedly hitting it with a large hammer.
The violent attack damaged the face and hands of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Virgin Mary, in a location that is often surrounded by flowers and candles throughout the year. It is accessible to the public at all hours.
There was also damage to church doors and some interior areas of the church.
The processional will be at Ortega Park on Ortega St. at Salsipuedes Street next to Santa Barbara Junior High. It begins with a Rosary at 6 p.m. followed by the procession at 6:30 p.m. It will proceed over to the church.
Hundreds are expected to take part.
Friday, the official Feast Day, there will be a day of special masses all day starting at 4 a.m.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Pastor Father Pedro Lopez said, the community should come together and understand “what causes the anger and hurt that people are carrying to pushes someone to do something like this. That what needs attention and healing.” He says others may also have emotions that are harmful and efforts to help them with outreach are important at this time.
He urged the community to unite “and not let people face that alone. “
Anthony Rodríguez a parishioner at Our Lady of Guadalupe and community leader said, “we want people to see, yes we were hurt, but you know what, we want to do what she (Our Lady of Guadalupe) has taught us and that is to be strong. hold each other and be together and unity.”
Wednesday a resident and Westmont College student Lesly Ricardez came by with flowers. It was her first time seeing the damage to the mosaic shrine. “She didn’t desrve this,” said Ricardez. “Just very sad to see that someone would go out of their way to damage her image when so many of us come to pay our respects and especially during this time which is so important to us Catholics.”
The procession will travel down Cota St. to Nopal to the church with police assisting for safety.
Going forward the church is seeking funds for additional security, lighting and cameras.
“The most immediate concern is to repair the image. Beyond that we want to do something that will to make the space even better,” said Father Lopez.
Many community members, Catholics and non Catholics have offered to help in any way. “we have great support here at the church, and we have a good leader,” said Rodriguez about the efforts ahead to make improvements and beautify the location.
The Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated annually on December 12th, commemorating the Virgin Mary’s apparitions to Saint Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531, with large celebrations including Masses, processions, and cultural festivals, especially by Mexican communities and Catholics worldwide. This day honors her as the “Queen of Mexico and Patroness of the Americas,” marked by traditions like presenting roses and displaying her image.
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