Jacksonville, Rusk churches plan Dec. 12 Guadalupe celebrations

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Catholic churches in Jacksonville and Rusk will host feast day celebrations on Dec. 11-12 in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of the Americas.

In Jacksonville, a 10:30 p.m. rosary will be recited Saturday evening at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, followed by las mañanitas – a traditional serenade – then midnight Mass. On Sunday, the parish festival begins at 11 a.m. with a meal, then Mass a noon, with a procession around the church grounds following the liturgy.

Also on tap at the 1023 Corinth St. church: A drawing, dancers, games, food, face-painting and laser tag.

Meanwhile, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Mission, 760 S. Main St. in Rusk, mañanitas begin at 11 p.m. Saturday, with an 11:15 a.m. Mass Sunday followed by fellowship.

According to Catholic tradition, in 1531, Mary – known as Our Lady of Guadalupe – appeared in a vision to Juan Diego, an Aztec convert to Christianity, requesting that a chapel be built on the spot where she appeared. A tilma worn by Diego bears an image of her and is displayed at the Basilica of Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Mexico City.