During May, the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary, different cultures celebrate Our Lady

Friday, May. 16, 2014

SALT LAKE CITY — In the Catholic tradition, May is the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and she is celebrated under a variety of titles.

May crownings and other special events take place all over the Diocese of Salt Lake City in honor of Mary; at Catholic schools, students crown statues representing the Virgin Mother during ceremonies; parishes pray the rosary  and the diverse cultural communities celebrate with their own traditions.

The Blessed Mother has appeared throughout the centuries to people in various cultures, and is known by a host of names: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Knock, among many others. 

The Peruvian community celebrates the Virgin of Chapi, also known as the Virgin of Purification.

Every year in Peru, many people travel to Chapi to venerate the virgin. The Sanctuary of the Virgin of Chapi is about 38 miles southeast of the city of Arequipa. On May 1 pilgrims from all over the country walk through the night from the city to the shrine, carrying big candles and rocks that symbolize sin. The rocks are placed along the route; at the shrine, a vigil is held, with a procession the next day.

In Utah, the celebration of Our Lady of Chapi started in 2012, when an image of the Virgin was flown from Peru by the Gazani family.

“This celebration is a very important day in Peru, during which all the people go and celebrate our Mother,” said Giancarlo Renzo Gazani, a Cathedral of the Madeleine parishioner.

Since that year the Gazani family, with the help of Father Joseph Frez, pastor of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Midvale, celebrate the Lady with a special Mass in her honor that culminates with the crowning of the image.

This year the Mass and procession will take place on May 25 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Catholic Church. Fr. Frez will preside at the Mass; Father Arioka Dass David will concelebrate. A reception will follow the Mass, with a tribute to the Lady, Peruvian dances and food.

“May is an opportunity to renew our own devotion to the Mother of God by dusting off our rosaries and attending the celebrations,” said Mariana Zegarra, a Cathedral parishioner who is from Peru.

When Zegarra learned about the Virgin of Chapi celebration, her face immediately started glowing.

“Every year back in Peru I used to celebrate my Mother [Virgin of Chapi], but since I have been here I just carry a small postcard of her and I pray to her every night,” said Zegarra. “I know that I can honor her bigger here. I will for sure go to the celebration.”

 

WHAT: Mass and procession honoring Our Lady of Chapi and Our Lady of Evangelization

WHEN: May 25, 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Catholic Church, 624 Lennox St., Midvale