St. Theresa’s Father Simon Ityo gave a blessing and a brief talk at the Dec. 12 Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. Photo by Robert Gay

On Thursday, December 12, about 40 people gathered at the Patagonia Community Garden for the unveiling of a new tile mosaic at the Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine.

Centering the design on a big white flower, Patagonia artist Martha Kelly added her iconic glaze colors of blue, lavender and green to create a cheery table-level base for the wall-mounted shrine.

Celebration attendees examine Patagonia artist Martha Kelly’s new tile mosaic at the Garden’s Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine. Photo by Robert Gay

Just before the unveiling, there was a blessing by St. Theresa’s Father Simon Ityo. He mentioned that Mexico City’s Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which grew where the vision of the Virgin occurred, has become the most visited Catholic shrine in the world.

The story of the Miracle of Guadalupe, as experienced in roughly 1531 by Mexican paisano Juan Diego, was related in Spanish by Elvia Miranda, and translated by her daughter, PRT Board member Elvia Gallaher.

Celebration attendees listen to Elvia Gallaher (at right, motioning) and her mother Elvia Miranda (center) retell the story of the Miracle of Guadalupe in Spanish and English. Photo by Robert Gay

A couple of guitar-accompanied songs added to the Mexican feel as did a piñata, shaped as the traditional seven-pointed star. The kids, of course, grabbed up the candy which flowed when the piñata was broken! And one observer noted that the opposite side of the shrine’s wall is devoted to the Buddha.