No matter where life takes you, ethnic religious traditions are some of the best touchstones to home.
For Karina Jasso of Traverse City, the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is an integral part of her faith. As a Catholic raised in Matamoros, Mexico, the account of the visit from the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego, a native Indian living near what is now Mexico City, is as much a part of her religion as it is for all Mexicans who find hope and assurance in its message that God loves all people, rich and poor.
The story dates back to 1531, about 10 years after Hernando Cortez swept through Mexico conquering the Aztec Indians.
"The people were suppressed -- put into slavery and treated like animals," Jasso said. "When the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, an Indian, that was significant."
Traditionally, Mexicans join in the festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12, when thousands of people make the pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
This year, members of the Hispanic community who have permanently relocated to northern Michigan have decided that, despite the threat of wicked winter weather, a celebration also will take place in Traverse City.
Silvia Cortes-Lopez, director of the Apostolado Hispano, an outreach of the Diocese of Gaylord, has been helping an 11-member committee of local Hispanics plan their first Antorcha Guadalupana. The event symbolizing the pilgrimage to Mexico City is a run and walk set to start at 2 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Bryant Park. Runners plan to carry a torch and banners paying tribute to the patron saint of Mexico in a relay run extending the nearly 10 miles to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 13400 Center Road on Old Mission Peninsula.
Those who prefer to walk will meet the runners at the scenic overlook on M-37 about 1-1/2 miles from the church. The walkers and runners will form a group walking the rest of the way to the church for a 5 p.m. celebration Mass.
"We feel it is very important to put the spiritual focus on what is traditional in Mexico," said Fr. Ruben Muñoz, a priest from Colombia who joined the Diocese of Gaylord several years ago as pastor to the Hispanic community. "Running symbolizes running on the path of the Indian people."
"By holding the torch, you're holding something that represents faith, hope and light," said. Hermias Carrasco, coordinator of the event.
Cortes-Lopez is pleased to see the participation.
"Now we have a committee and people interested in making a home here and preserving tradition," Cortes-Lopez said. "And we want people to know we're here. We do exist."
The event is open to everyone. A $15 donation is requested for a T-shirt. To learn more, call Hermias Carrasco, 631-4280.
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