San Diego, CA
‘A great day of joy’: San Diego’s Catholic community unites for Our Lady of Guadalupe procession
More than 1,000 Catholics from around San Diego joined together in the North Park neighborhood on Sunday for the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe procession, an event meant to foster unity and hope among the community.
The procession — which honored Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico and the Americas — featured more than 70 Aztec dancers, over 20 floats, and members from 25 local parishes and Catholic groups. The event is part of the feast day celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrated each year on Dec. 12.
There are 1.4 million Catholics living in San Diego and Imperial counties, the majority of which — around 60% — have Latino roots.
This year, members from other cultural groups, including the region’s Catholic Filipino community, also participated in the procession.
“Most Hispanics in this area are from Mexico originally, but we have many different countries represented here,” said Cardinal Robert McElroy, who leads the Catholic Diocese of San Diego. “It’s a sign that — not only the Hispanic community here — but the community as a whole is a tapestry of diverse cultures.”
The procession traveled from the Morley Field Sports Complex and through North Park before ending at the St. Augustine High School, where McElroy celebrated Mass with more than 2,000 in attendance.
The religious event has been celebrated in San Diego for more than 50 years. It honors the “Patroness of the Americas” who is believed to have appeared to a Mexican peasant named Juan Diego in the 16th century during the Spanish colonization of Mexico and its Indigenous people.
“She served as a model of hope and identity for the oppressed and the native population at the time,” said Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido, one of the procession organizers.
Today, members of the Latino community are seeking some of that same hope, he said.
In the weeks following the re-election of President-elect Donald Trump, local parishioners have expressed fears over what a second Trump term may bring to their community.
Trump has promised mass deportations, pledged to roll back birthright citizenship and said he would use the U.S. military for immigration enforcement at the southern border.
While the event is a celebration of the patron saint and her blessings, McElroy said concerns about the future have given way to a “somberness” at this year’s event.
“It’s a great day of joy… and also asking God to accompany us through those challenges we face,” he said.
Some parishioners say Our Lady of Guadalupe has helped them through other recent personal struggles, such as grief and worries over their family’s health.
“Everybody has needs; everybody has loss,” said Yolanda Vargas, a member of the Our Lady of Guadalupe church in Chula Vista and whose mother passed away earlier this year.
Vargas was one of several women from her church — each wearing colorful and beaded traditional clothing and head dresses — who participated in the Danza Guadalupana, a dance to honor the patron saint, during the procession.
Her aunt participated in the dance for 53 years, she said, which inspired her to join this year.
The procession also attracted other community members who were enjoying the day at Morley Field.
Barrio Logan resident Victoria Valenzuela was biking with her daughter, Xitlaly Uribe, around the field when they came across the procession. Valenzuela immigrated to the U.S. from Sinaloa, Mexico, in 1994 and said the procession reminded her of her home years ago.
Even though they aren’t Catholic, both the mother and daughter said they were happy to see people out together.
It’s really nice; we see community,” Uribe said.
Originally Published:
When we think of May, we think of Mother’s Day, blooming flowers, sunny skies, and lots of fun, seasonal events in the city. This month, locals can dine on the creations of James Beard Award-Winning Chefs at Rancho Bernardo Inn, or take advantage of berry season at the annual Vista Strawberry Festival. Theatre lovers can enjoy a showing of Kim’s Convenience at The Old Globe, while the San Diego Natural History Museum invites art enthusiasts to view its latest marine-themed exhibit. Grab your tickets and crack open that planner. Here are all the best things to do in San Diego this month:
Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Month
29
Louisiana legend Juvenile, enhances by the live instrumentation of The 400 Degreez Band, will perform career hits and his newest album, Boiling Point, at House of Blues San Diego.
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Month
5/5–6/1
Turning the spotlight on contemporary LGBTQ artists, the inaugural ArtSpectrum 2026 will showcase both the grand and intimate scale of contemporary painters, photographers, and mixed media artists at Village Arts Outreach in Balboa Park.
12–24
The only ordinary element of the San Diego International Fringe Festival is the constant thrill of the extraordinary. Discover a plethora of innovative performances at venues from Pacific Beach to Baja.
5/15–6/14
A Korean-Canadian family balances tradition and assimilation from their Toronto storefront in Ins Choi’s comforting satire Kim’s Convenience, making its local premier at The Old Globe.
5/22–2/2027
Ocean debris will receive a new beginning at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Using repurposed pollution, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea depicts creatively sculpted marine life.
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Month
4/30–5/3
Enjoy fine dining at its finest from a lineup of gastronomic titans during 54 Hours with James Beard Award-Winning Chefs. Savor elegant meals, masterclasses, tastings, and more at Rancho Bernardo Inn.
2
Unlimited bites, regional craft beers, and animal observations are on the menu for San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew (with live music), a culinary evening in support of the San Diego Wildlife Alliance.
7
Spend An Evening with David Sedaris, humorist, essayist, and best-selling author. Never afraid to point the pen at himself, Sedaris will share old favorites and works in progress in the classic satirical style he’s known for at Jacobs Music Center.
15–17
Say cheese! And toast to the Cheese & Libation Expo. Explore three days of all-you-can eat and drink fare at BRICK, along with boutique shopping and bountiful pairings.
PARTNER CONTENT
10 Years In, Puffer and Malarkey Are Just Getting Started
Elevating an Icon: Inside the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Clu…
16
Stroll the private grounds of several luxurious homes, accompanied by live music, tabletop designs, and outdoor artistry, during the Secret Garden Tour, La Jolla Historical Society‘s flora and fauna fundraiser.
24
Vista recalls its days as a strawberry-producing superpower through its free Strawberry Festival. Wear your berry best fit, watch film screenings, and enter contests for shortcake, pie, and sundae indulging.
San Diego, CA
City considering cutting funding to resource center for those experiencing homelessness
Last week Mayor Todd Gloria released the budget proposal for the 2027 fiscal budget. Protected homeless services is among his top priorities mentioned in the proposal. However, some of the reductions he’s proposing could impact thousands of San Diegans experiencing homelessness.
Located on 17th and K Street, the Neil Good Day Center offers an array of services to nearly seven thousand people experiencing homelessness. The services include giving them a place to shower and do laundry, and connecting them to a case manager, among others.
“These are critical services that are helping people off the streets, but really better their lives and their health and their employment situation as well,” Deacon Vargas with Father Joe’s Villages said.
Deacon Jim Vargas heads Father Joe’s Villages, which runs the center. He said through their prevention and diversion strategies, they’ve managed to keep nearly one thousand individuals from falling into homelessness.
“So by helping them pay rent, or helping them with their utilities, or helping them to reunite with family,” Vargas said.
Right now, the city allocates at least $850,000 per year to the Neil Good Day Center, according to Vargas.
But the future and funding for these services are in limbo because of Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposed budget cuts.
“The impact to those whom we’ve been serving the Daily Center would be very severe,” Deacon Vargas said.
In a statement to NBC 7, Mayor Todd Gloria said in part, “We must find more efficient and cost-effective ways to address this crisis and prioritize funding for programs that provide shelter beds and maximize resources to programs that place people into permanent housing.”
Since it’s still at a proposal stage, Deacon Vargas said it’s unclear how the city will decide to move forward.
However, Deacon Vargas said services would be significantly reduced because they would be forced to operate solely on a budget of about half a million dollars they receive from philanthropy.
“The hours would be cut. Some days would be cut. We would have showers that might be impacted because they’re given seven days a week and we’d close two days a week, then the showers would be five days a week, the case management,” Deacon Vargas said.
Deacon Vargas is certain of one thing.
He would like to continue offering services at the Day Center, even if the city goes through with the funding cuts.
“As we work with individuals at the Day Center and at Father Joe’s Villages, the community becomes healthier as a result of it,” Deacon Vargas said.
The budget also recommends additional cuts to homeless services, but does not give specifics as to where those cuts would be.
San Diego Padres (14-7) at Los Angeles Angels (11-11), April 19, 2026, 1:07 p.m. PST
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