Bonham -- Marching along to the sounds of Mariachi Aguilas De America, a Sunday morning procession slowly made its way along West 5th Street, down North Main Street and then along 10th Street to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Bonham on Saturday to honor Virgen de Guadalupe, Juan Diego's sacred vision of the Virgin Mary on December 9, 1531.
Many have called Virgen de Guadalupe the most popular religious image in Mexico and the event in Bonham drew participants from communities across North Texas.
In addition to the mariachi band from Fort Worth and at least two dance troupes, dozens of people walked along the route to the church carrying roses that would be laid at the feet of an image of Virgen de Guadalupe inside St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.
Roses are an intregral part of the 16th century Roman Catholic icon. Traditional Catholic accounts tell of Juan Diego's vision of a young Virgin Mary and her request for a church to be built at the site. When the Spanish Bishop asked for proof of Juan Diego's apparition, he returned with roses even though it was wintertime.
photos by Allen Rich