On Wednesday, celebrations for the Virgin of Guadalupe were popular throughout America and Latin America. The feast day is celebrated by Catholics venerating the Virgin Mary who appeared to Juan Diego, an Aztec peasant. A local church in Norco, St Mel’s, held a mass for this feast day. Following the mass, a mariachi band performed alongside traditional ballet folklórico dancers.

The day is traditionally celebrated in a multitude of ways. Arturo Rubio,  a devout Catholic, explained the celebrations: “We start the day by singing the Mañanitas to the virgin which is basically … a special song that we sing to her to commemorate her apparition.” He said that some celebrations can start as early as 4 a.m or even earlier depending on how an individual celebrates. Catholics will also pray the rosary, a Marian devotion that honors the virgin. Flowers are especially important on this date, especially since they are tied closely with its origins. Roses in particular are often placed at altars erected for the event. For Rubio, the day “brings a lot of good memories” from his childhood when he would always celebrate with his family in Mexico. In Mexico, the celebrations differ from those in America, with extravagant altars and parades.