Our Lady of Guadalupe processional draws hundreds in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - A spiritual processional with hundreds of worshippers came through downtown Santa Barbara Sunday night to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

There was a service in De La Guerra Plaza just before the event around 6 p.m. It was mainly attended by Hispanic Catholics reciting the prayers in Spanish. Bishop Robert Baron was also in attendance.

Folklorico dancers participated in the event which went up State Street for several blocks. It was escorted by the Santa Barbara Police Department.

This event celebrates the story involving the Virgin Mary appearing to an indigenous man in 1531 near Mexico City in Village de Guadalupe. The message was to build a church.

This gathering is an annual event in Santa Barbara.