Every year in Guadalajara on October 12 there is a procession for the Virgin of Zapopan, a small doll that is about a foot tall. Many people pray to her and ask her for miracles. She is the patron saint of Guadalajara and is said to have performed many miracles. For example, one time years ago the water in Lake Chapala was at a very low level. So the Virgin was taken there and the water level was restored.

The procession began yesterday at 6:00 am at the cathedral downtown. Before the Virgin passed by, there were all kinds of groups dancing in tribal costumes and marching bands. At about 9:30 the Virgin passed by where I was at. The statue was inside a glass case on top of a decorated float that was attached to a brand new car. The car was pulled the 4 1/2 miles from the cathedral to the Basilica of Zapopan. As the Virgin passed by people were chanting and singing for her and I saw a few people even crying.

At least 3 million people were there yesterday for this procession. It was sad to see the devotion to the Virgin and to think about how the dancing, the music, and the millions of people were there for her. Pray for the people of Guadalajara, that they would come to a saving knowledge of the truth and exalt Christ above all else.

Before dawn, there were already millions of people gathered to see the Virgin who would pass by a few hours later.


Notice the two banners in the background. The banner of Jesus shows Him on the cross. Always in the Catholic churches Jesus is depicted as defeated and dying. But remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:17 "And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!" Christ died on the cross for our sins, but He did not stay there. He was victorious over death! While Jesus is shown as being dead, the Virgin is always the focal point and seems to be exalted.




There were even balloons for the kids with the image of the Virgin of Zapopan on them.

If you look closely you can see people holding on to the rope that was used to the pull the car the the Virgin was on.

In the center of the picture in the glass case is the Virgin of Zapopan.

All along the 4 1/2 mile route there were vendors selling jewelry, soccer jerseys, t-shirts, food...pretty much anything you can think of.

After the Virgin passed by, I went up on a bridge and there were people as far as I could see.

This is looking the other direction. I left at 11:00 and there were still tons of people who had been marching behind the Virgin who passed by at 9:30.

This is a short video I took as the Virgin was approaching. You can hear the people chanting in Spanish. They are saying, "Long live the Queen of Heaven, Long live the Mother of God, Long live the Queen and Mother of Jalisco!" (Jalisco is the state that Guadalajara is in).