New murals depicting the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego were unveiled and blessed at the Cathedral Plaza Dec. 9.

Hundreds of parishioners gathered as youth unveiled each of the five murals depicting the apparitions of 1531 to the indigenous Juan Diego as well as the miracle healing of his dying uncle. The images were created for the Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe by Cathedral artist Lalo Garcia on Talavera tile from Mexico.

"She offers us the pathway to receive God's blessings in abundance," said Msgr. Kevin Kostelnik, Cathedral pastor. "Thousands of pilgrims come here to say prayers of thanksgiving or to ask for a special petition."

First-time Cathedral visitor Elvira Gomez said the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe means a great deal to her. "It was her way of saying she is here to stay with us," said Gomez.

---Ellie Hidalgo