Procession of the Faithful

Particpants carried flags, banners of La Virgen de Guadalupe and San Juan Diego and statues in a procession Sunday (Dec. 9, 2007) from Library Park to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.

As the procession assembled, mariachis offered songs to La Virgen de Guadalupe.

The large instrument is a guitarron, a fretless bass. Marchers joined in the songs.

The march proceeds along West Eighth Street to the church, where Bishop Edgar Da Cunha was to celebrate Mass accompanied by mariachis.

Tonight (Dec. 10, 2007) a torch will arrive in Plainfield on its way from the basilica in Mexico City to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. A Mass will be celebrated in honor of the torch and San Juan Diego.

The six-day observance will culminate with an overnight ceremony Wednesday and a 5 a.m. Mass with mariachis Wednesday.

--Bernice Paglia