The sounds of Marian songs cascaded down from the bell tower as projected images of San Juan Diego’s tilma and Our Lady of Guadalupe blanketed the façade of the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  The scene reflected the spirit of faith, devotion and community on display Dec. 12, marking the first celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe since the cathedral had been elevated to a national shrine by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

On a day that saw temperatures start below freezing, hundreds packed the pews at the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Jan. 20 for the celebration of a pro-life Mass by Bishop Edward J. Burns.

Along with her husband Leon, Anita Kubin serves as a history-keeper of sorts for St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Ennis. The two preserve the legacy of their community through their work on the parish’s cemetery committee.

A heavy downpour of rain and unseasonably cool temperatures could not dampen the celebratory spirit on display at the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe as Bishop Edward J. Burns honored parish volunteers from throughout the Diocese of Dallas with the 2024 Bishop’s Award for Service to the Church during the celebration of a Mass on April 20.

They came by fire engine, by police cruiser, by ambulance, by bicycle, by horse, and even by helicopter. On Aug. 3, first responders from throughout the diocese gathered at the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the seventh annual Diocese of Dallas Blue Mass and Blessing of the Fleet. 

“My friends, we have work to do.” Those words are how Bishop Edward J. Burns closed a Mass for nearly 300 faithful who gathered Sept. 14 at the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe for a Mass to be commissioned as delegates for the Diocese of Dallas Synod assembly later this year.

Wonder in God’s presence should be central to our experience of worship, said Diocese of Dallas Office of Worship Director Jeanne Marie Miles ahead of the Oct. 26 Contours of Wonder formation workshop.