Scottish Catholic Observer

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City is the most visited Catholic site in the world. The painting of Our Lady miraculously appeared to St Juan Diego in the 16th century, and has since then become a symbol of the pro-life cause.

In 2004, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico City commissioned 220 relic images to be produced and spread throughout the world, with one housed in Bedford in England.

On October 24, this relic image will come to St Andrew’s under the care of the Knights of St Columba.

The evening begins with Solemn Mass at 5.15pm and is then followed by the service of reception at 6.30 pm. There will be the opportunity for personal veneration, until the cathedral closes.

During the following five days, the miraculous relic image will be sited in the devotional area from 8.30am until the cathedral closes at 7pm.

The annual torch lit Procession for Life will take place from Glasgow city centre to the cathedral on Thursday, October 29, after which the Life Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Service of Return will begin at 7.30pm.

Charlie McCluskey, supreme knight of the Knights of St Columba, met recently with Andrew Hinde, national co-ordinator of the Guardians of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in St Alphonsus Church House in Calton, Glasgow, to formally sign the agreement.

“So it gives me great pleasure to come here with Charlie tonight to sign this agreement and to share the wonderful experiences that I have had while we have been on the pilgrimage tour,” Mr Hinde said.

Mr McCluskey said it is a ‘wonderful thing’ to be partners in the pilgrimage. “I am inspired and am sure that we can build on the already fruitful co-operation that exists between the Guardians and the Knights of St Columba,” he added.