Mary is ‘living torch’ who shows God’s love, priest says at vigil Mass

Father Erwin Candelaria described the Virgin Mary as a living torch that brings the love of God into the world during the 11th annual Lighting of the Torches, Las Antorchas Guadalupanas. The vigil Mass took place on Oct. 24 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Trenton.

During his homily, Candelaria, the cathedral parochial vicar, noted that the value of the torches lies in the light they carry rather than the plastic material of the objects themselves. He connected the symbolism to the account of Juan Diego, stating that Mary met him in his smallness to provide care and tenderness.

Encarnación Cortés, who traveled from St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to attend the vigil, said the light inspired her participation. She expressed a desire for the tradition to be taught to younger generations to preserve the custom.