It’s been 492 years since followers of the Virgin of Guadalupe say she first appeared outside of Mexico City. The miraculous visions have long been recognized by followers on December 12. Now, in a fast-changing Charlotte, the tradition is also finding a new home on Central Avenue.
Outside of Tacos El Nevado, nearly 200 people gathered in the Tuesday evening to celebrate the Virgin Mary, in particular la Virgen de Guadalupe.
Since 2016, her venerated image has been painted on the side of this Mexican restaurant, run by Victor Santiago and his family, from Oaxaca. Now ‘guadalupanos,’ as her followers call themselves, gather here every Dec. 12, the day that marks her first appearance in 1531.
“The message we want to send the community is that the Virgin represents our brotherhood, that we have to be united and in solidarity. We have to support each other as immigrants,” Santiago said.
The mural, painted by local Mexican artist Rosalia Torres Weiner, includes a message in the bottom left corner: "This mural is dedicated to all immigrants and those who welcome them."
The outdoor mass attracts not just families from Mexico, but Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, Colombia and elsewhere.
Santiago’s niece, Nereyda Mali, says this tradition is especially important for indigenous people. Tradition says that it was an indigenous man, Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, who the Virgin of Guadalupe first appeared before.
“She is our dark-skinned Virgin Mary that we celebrate each year as Mexican tradition,” she said.
Mali attended the mass with her five-month-old son, Emmanuel, dressed as Juan Diego, in a poncho adorned with the virgin’s image. She said dressing children as Juan Diego is part of the celebration.
The evening closed with another tradition, led by Mooresville-based mariachi singer Maria Elena Valdez — the singing of Las Mañanitas, a popular Latin American birthday song, dedicated on this day to la Virgen de Guadalupe.
