On Friday, December 12, the Cristo Rey Jesuit community came together to celebrate the feast day of La Virgen de Guadalupe. Marking the most anticipated and significant day of the school year, this long-standing tradition celebrates our school and community’s Mexican faith heritage - a powerful reminder of our identity, culture, language, and faith.

Each year members of the Cristo Rey Jesuit senior class reenact the story of La Virgin de Guadalupe appearing to Juan Diego in 1531 during Mass. Mass is followed by a celebration with food, music, and dancing, and this year was no different.

In a year that has been so challenging for our community, Friday’s celebration was a testament to what Cristo Rey represents for our students and their families. Senior Xochitl P. wrote a powerful essay about what this tradition means to her as part of a college application. Her story captures this spirit, and what it means to be at a part of Cristo Rey:

“Ya levántate, ya son las 4:30,” my mom says every 12th of December. Those words are more than a wake-up call; they mark the start of Día Doce, a day when faith and culture come together as our Cristo Rey community honors La Virgen de Guadalupe. At 6:30 a.m., we fill the gym for Mass, united by a tradition that has shaped generations. Even in the quiet darkness of morning, there is light, a sense of excitement and belonging that makes every early hour worth it.

One of my favorite parts of this tradition is the reenactment during Mass. Seniors take center stage, carrying the honor of performing it for the last time as students, a rite of passage that feels both sacred and celebratory. The play brings to life the story of La Virgen appearing to Juan Diego, asking him to build a chapel on Tepeyac Hill. She reassures him not to worry, promising to guide and protect him as he approaches the bishop. In that moment, the gym becomes Tepeyac, and the story feels alive, reminding us of the faith and humility at the heart of this tradition.

After Mass, the celebration continues with food and music. We gather around tables with tamales, conchas, and champurrado, sitting with friends, family, classmates, and alumni. A mariachi band plays on stage as an ode to La Virgen. The songs, the play, the readings, and the food all weave us together in faith and joy. During Advent, as we await the birth of Jesus, we also celebrate the woman who brought Him into the world.  

This tradition matters because of what La Virgen’s choice of Juan Diego represents. She appeared to a humble, indigenous man and entrusted him with a mission that seemed impossible. Her choice broke stereotypes and showed that faith and dignity are not limited by status or background. She believed in Juan Diego even when others doubted him. That message resonates with me and my community. It reminds us that we, too, are seen and loved equally, regardless of where we come from.

Juan Diego is a symbol of our culture and our faith. His story teaches us to trust God’s guidance, just as La Virgen guided him. Through this tradition, we celebrate not only our heritage but also the strength and unity that come from faith, a bond that makes our Cristo Rey community feel like family."

We are deeply grateful to our Campus Ministry and facilities teams, the Club de Padres, the Class of 2026, actors, musicians, dancers, Fr. James Gartland, SJ, and so many others who made this beautiful Mass and celebration possible.

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