Celebrating the Virgin de Guadalupe at 'Las Mananitas'

From the traditional Catholic Mass to the music of a Mariachi, there’s a large celebration honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, also known as “La Virgencita Morena”, the dark skinned mother Mary, a revered figure amongst Catholics around the world.

“She’s the mother of all Mexicans...an icon to a lot of Catholics,” said Katia Miramontes.

Celebrations in Los Angeles began Wednesday evening and will continue through Thursday; with thousands of people singing and dancing.

The "Las Mananitas" festival in LA is known as the largest festival outside of Mexico City. The pilgrimage to the mural of the Virgen de Guadalupe at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church (La Placita) in downtown LA has grown to over 65,000 people.

December 12th marks the day in 1531 that the Virgin granted an indigenous peasant named Juan Diego a miracle. Legend has it the church didn’t believe Juan Diego had seen the holy mother so Our Lady covered the barren hillside of Tepeyac outside Mexico City with roses.

On this 488th anniversary of the apparitions and the miracle of the roses, people come to say gracias… giving thanks for the miracles they say she’s granted them.

In 2002 Juan Diego was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church officially becoming Saint Juan Diego.

For more information on local celebrations click here