Our Lady of Guadalupe is a spiritual refuge for Hispanic Catholics in L.A.
Driving along the Route 91 freeway in Compton, Calif., I was struck by an unusual sight: a tent with a circular dome topped by a cross, in the parking lot of a hotel casino. I pulled over for a closer look and discovered it was an installation in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Thanksgiving marks not just the start of the Christmas season but also the beginning of a spiritual period leading up to Dec. 12—the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In the lead-up to the celebration, parishes organize novenas and processions while families create altars adorned with candles, flowers and images of Our Lady, who is also known as La Morenita del Tepeyac (“The Brown Virgin of Tepeyac Hill,” referring to the site in Mexico of Mary’s apparitions to St. Juan Diego in 1531).
Given the demographics in Los Angeles County, an installation in Compton in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe is appropriate. The city is home to both Hispanic and African American communities, two groups whose histories are marked by oppression and social injustice. Her presence in Compton sends a powerful message: No matter what the struggles a community faces, faith and unity can provide strength and solace. The Virgin’s image has long been a unifying force during the Chicano civil rights movement, transcending borders and bringing together people from diverse backgrounds.