On Saturday Dec. 12, 2026, thousands of Catholics from across the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington will gather for the Annual Walk with Mary (Camina con María) Procession and Mass honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas. This annual tradition is a celebration marked by a joyful expression of faith that brings together people of many cultures, languages, and generations not only as one family in Christ, but as one human family, brothers and sisters who are all children of God.
The theme, “Under Mary’s Mantle: One Family, One Humanity,” offers a reminder that all are called to recognize the God-given dignity of every person and to walk together in faith, solidarity and hope. In a world marked by division, conflict, and displacement, the witness of Our Lady of Guadalupe continues to inspire people to build bridges of encounter, compassion, and peace.
This year´s celebration also coincides with a special Guadalupan Jubilee year decreed by Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the new Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe began with her appearance to St. Juan Diego in 1531. Her message of hope and God’s closeness to His people transformed the Americas, leading to the conversion of millions. By appearing to a humble Indigenous man, the mestiza Mary affirmed the dignity of the poor and marginalized. Through her miraculous image, which united Indigenous and European symbols, she became a powerful bridge between cultures and a model for sharing the Gospel across peoples and nations.
For this reason, Our Lady of Guadalupe is often known as the “Star of the New Evangelization.” Her apparition points to her Son and reminds people that evangelization begins with encounter, respect, and accompaniment, inviting others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
This pilgrimage also invites people to pray for those who are most vulnerable among us and to recognize that “they” are one of us, especially migrants, refugees, families facing hardship, and all who are affected by violence and displacement. As people walk together in faith, they will entrust their prayers and intentions to the Blessed Mother, asking her to bring peace, comfort, and hope to our world.
The celebration will take place on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026. The day will begin at 10 a.m. with a procession from the Shrine of the Sacred Heart, located at 3211 Sacred Heart Way in Northwest Washington, D.C., and proceed to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at 400 Michigan Ave., N.E., in Washington. Upon arrival, pilgrims will join in the rosary prayed in multiple languages, reflecting the cultural diversity of the archdiocese’s family of faith and its unity as one Church in Christ. There will also be a procession of flags representing the many nations and cultural communities of the archdiocese, a traditional Aztec dance presentation, and a moving reenactment of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego.
The day will end with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 2 p.m., presided over by Cardinal Robert McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, with Bishop Juan Esposito, an auxiliary bishop of Washington, serving as homilist.
Whether people come individually or with their family, parish, ministry, school, or cultural community, they are invited to join this pilgrimage and Mass honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, to walk with Mary and pray for peace, hope, healing, and the dignity of every person as one family in Christ under her loving mantle.
For more information, please visit https://adw.org/event/walk-with-mary/ or contact us at culturaldiversity@adw.org.
