Procession of the Virgin - Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan de Valle

"For centuries Christians have made pilgrimages with a spiritual purpose to holy places. Here in the Rio Grande Valley, hundreds are drawn to the Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, and the number of pilgrims continues to grow. Averaging more than one million visitors a year (20,000 a weekend), it is one of the most visited shrines in the United States."

For a complete history on this shrine, go to: https://www.olsjbasilica.org/about-us/history

"Today we celebrate the Feast of the presentation of Jesus and the Feast day of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle. At 4:00PM the festivities will begin with a procession from the PSJA Stadium on Sam Houston street in Pharr, Texas to the Basilica. This will be followed by the 5:30PM Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel Flores. Families and children are invited to bring their Baby Jesus’ to be blessed at the end of the Mass. There will also be matachines after the Mass."

So today, we decided to go see this procession and attend the Mass that followed. Most of these people had walked from the PSJA Stadium to the Basilica which is about 2 1/4 miles. We waited for them to arrive, lol. 

Here are the pictures we took after they arrived on the grounds.

We stopped at the Basilica when we first arrived. The blue and white curtain hide some of the artwork and the screen that is used during Mass has been put down for the service. 

These flowers are everywhere in the Basilica today.

      Then we went out to watch the arrival of the procession.

The statue of Our Lady of San Juan de Valle is being carried at the front of the procession.

                 Now they are heading into the Basilica.

The Basilica was standing room only and everyone had their cameras or phones out to get pictures of Our Lady as she was brought to the altar.

Our Lady is being placed in her rightful place in the Basilica which is over the altar.

After the procession Mass was held and communion given to everyone that was here. It was really amazing how quickly they managed to get through that ceremony. They had communion given out by several people in the front and more in the back of the church. It was amazing!