Local Santa Barbara church celebrates la Virgen de Guadalupe in early morning

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - December 12th is a day of great significance for the Hispanic and Catholic communities worldwide. It’s the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Community members gathered at Santa Barbara's Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in the early hours to honor the Virgin Mary.

Celebrations kicked off at 4 a.m. with Las Mañanitas, a heartfelt serenade to honor the Virgin Mary.

This was followed by a church service that packed the parish church to capacity, with many standing throughout the service.

This day commemorates the Virgin Mary's appearances to Juan Diego in 1531, when she left her miraculous image on his cloak—a symbol of faith, hope, and unity.

Altars are beautifully decorated and community members bring flowers, candles, sing, and pray. An Indigenous offering was also given before mass as a form of prayer.

Food is a huge part of this celebration—not just for eating, but also as a tradition for the church.

Freshly made tamales were handed out, and after this morning’s service, pan dulce and hot chocolate are served to give a warm welcome to all who attended.

Evening services were also available for community members to attend.