Antorcha Guadalupana visits the Alamo City en route to New York

    SAN ANTONIO • The international Antorcha Guadalupana, an annual run which begins in the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City and arrives on the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 12, in New York City, stopped in San Antonio Nov. 9.
    According to organizers, the run serves as a reminder of the difficult situation faced in many workers in the United States and of the church’s clear commitment to respect human dignity at all times. It also highlights migrants’ plight and is a reminder to all of the migrants who have lost their lives crossing the border for a better life, they stated. Festivities prior to the torch’s arrival included performances by matachines from St. Agnes Church on the track of Lanier High School as well as songs in Spanish.

    The dancers then escorted attendees to nearby Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on El Paso Street for the torch’s arrival and a 7:30 p.m. liturgy celebrated by Archbishop José H. Gomez.
    As the runners arrived on the last leg of their journey from Floresville, they were led not only by the torch, but also by young men carrying two large portraits: one of Our Lady of Guadalupe and another of St. Juan Diego, which were included as part of the entrance procession prior to the Mass.
    In his homily, Archbishop Gomez urged listeners to take away two important things from the liturgy’s readings. In one reading, St. Paul referred to each person as a spiritual temple. “We are all sons and daughters of God. We are all children of God,” said the archbishop. “The church reminds us to respect every human person.”

    In discussing the Gospel reading from St. John, Archbishop Gomez described how Jesus wanted the temple to be a house of prayer, and the San Antonio prelate compared that with how Our Lady of Guadalupe wanted a temple built at Tepeyac.
    “We are all people of God and this pilgrimage reminds us of that,” the San Antonio prelate said. “I hope these days serve as preparation for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe so we can be the kingdom of God on earth.”
     The entourage left the next morning for a scheduled run to Gonzales.