Walking with Our Lady: 31st annual Cruzada Guadalupana draws more than 25,000 pilgrims
By Catholic San Francisco
The 31st Annual Cruzada Guadalupana pilgrimage took place on Saturday, December 7, uniting more than 25,000 pilgrims from across the Bay Area in a profound display of devotion and faith. The day-long event honored Our Lady of Guadalupe, the beloved patroness of the Americas, and brought participants together in prayer.
The pilgrimage began in the early morning at All Souls Catholic Church in South San Francisco. Participants gathered for an opening blessing at 5:30 a.m., and at 6:00 a.m., the procession departed, marking the beginning of the roughly 12-mile journey to the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco.
Along the way, the pilgrimage included five planned stops, allowing participants to rest, reflect, and join in the Rosary. Many participants carried banners and images of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the air was filled with the sound of Marian hymns. For many, the journey was not only a physical walk but also a spiritual offering of love, sacrifice, and gratitude.
The pilgrimage culminated at St. Mary’s Cathedral, where Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone celebrated a solemn Mass at 2:00 p.m. The cathedral was filled with pilgrims and their families all united in their devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
In his homily, Archbishop Cordileone emphasized the enduring significance of Our Lady’s message to St. Juan Diego, uniting people from different cultures and building a culture of life.
“We all love our mother who unites us into one family of God,” said Archbishop Cordileone. “Our Lady of Guadalupe reminds us that we have a mother who always protects us, intercedes for us, and brings us closer to her Son.”
He also noted that the day was historic as it marked the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after the devastating fire of 2019, a powerful reminder of restoration and hope.
At the end of his homily, Archbishop Cordileone offered a prayer to Our Lady saying, “Oh, Sweet Lady of Tepeyac, Mother of Guadalupe! We present to you all cares, worries, distresses and sufferings of your people in America. You who have come into our hearts, come and visit and comfort our homes, parishes and faith communities all over our continent. Show us the face of your Son, and we shall be saved!”
The Cruzada Guadalupana continues to be a treasured tradition in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, offering participants an opportunity to publicly express their faith and devotion. For many, it is a reminder of the unity and hope that Our Lady of Guadalupe inspires in the hearts of her children.
Photos: Mary Powers
