SEÑOR DE LOS MILAGROS CELEBRATION
The Diocese of Orange celebrated the annual Señor de los Milagros (Lord of Miracles) on Saturday, Oct. 30 in the Arboretum on the Christ Cathedral campus.
Lord of Miracles is one of the most important religious experiences of popular Catholicism in Peru but is now celebrated across the globe. Its history dates to 1655, when a painted image of the Cristo Moreno (Brown Christ) in Lima miraculously survived an earthquake and then subsequent earthquakes, a resilience that resulted in adoration growing over the years During the celebration, a brotherhood of male devotees called cargadores, or carriers, carry the icon of Jesus.
This year’s celebration attracted more than 1,000 people attending the Mass and accompanying our Lord of the Miracles in procession through prayer, dance and music. Bishop Kevin Vann presided over the Mass.
HOLY SEPULCHER CEMETERY HOSTS DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION
Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange hosted a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration on Saturday, Oct. 30 that included colorful altars, food trucks, face painting dancers and a Mass presided by Bishop Timothy Freyer.
The Día de los Muertos tradition dates back many hundreds of years and is closely associated with All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2. Families visit the graveyards of their loved ones and celebrate throughout the day with a picnic as they remember the deceased.
OCTOBER RESPECT FOR LIFE ROSARY RALLY
Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ladera Ranch held its first annual October Respect for Life Rosary Rally on Oct. 24.
Fr. Michael St. Paul, pastor of Holy Trinity, alongside Fr. Charles Tran, Holy Trinity staff and approximately 100 parishioners celebrated at the rally.
CAPISTRANO LIGHTS
Capistrano Lights Returns is coming to Mission San Juan Capistrano from Dec. 4 to Dec. 30. Tickets include all-day admission, a multi-language audio tour and evening holiday programming.
The decorations at the historic mission feature festive lights, community-designed Christmas trees, a large-scale nativity scene in the ruins of the Great Stone Church, Dickens-era carolers and nightly 30-foot tree lighting and music at 5 p.m.
“On behalf of the foundation, we are thrilled to bring Capistrano Lights Returns to the Mission under a new format that allows for a quality outdoor holiday experience for families,” said Mission San Juan Capistrano’s executive director Mechelle Lawrence Adams. “As Orange County’s very first Christmas was most likely celebrated here, we take great pride in delivering a meaningful tradition for those looking to experience the religious, spiritual and emotional value of the season with loved ones.”
