A prayer haven in the middle of the City

A pilgrimage doesn’t always have to go to remote places or tiny towns. Even if the drive is short – or even if the Holy Site is in the middle of a city, the graces of a pilgrimage done with the right intention are just the same.
 
Our Holy Site no. 3 is Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Corpus Christi, a small parish on Hiawatha Street. Pink concrete surrounds the building, a bell rings at noon to call people to pray the Angelus and attend noon weekday Mass. Fr. Gerry Sheehan, SOLT, just arrived at the parish in the Fall after many years at St. Anthony of Padua in Robstown.
 
He is excited about the Jubilee Year and wants everyone to know its meaning: “It is a beautiful tradition that goes back to our Jewish roots.” In ancient Judaism, a year was declared holy every 50 years. During this period, the Mosaic law prescribed that slaves could regain their freedom and that land should be returned to its former owners. The Church picked up this tradition in the 1300s.
 
The parish intends to accommodate all visitors: “We try to be open every day – we have weekday masses on Tuesdays at 8 am, from Wednesday to Friday at 12:05 pm, Saturday at 5 pm in Spanish, Sunday at 8 am in Spanish and 10 am and 12 pm in English,” he said. Confessions are available 30 minutes before each Mass. The small church has an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe right in the center, with a wooden backdrop full of golden roses.
 To allow pilgrims and parishioners to grow in their faith and take full advantage of the plenary indulgences of the Holy Year, OLG now offers Holy Hour on Monday evenings from 6 – 7 pm, with the possibility of confessions. “We’re really excited that we are a Holy Site and want to welcome all pilgrims.” Right now, everyone can stamp their pilgrim’s passport in the back of the Church, but the parish is looking into a solution for the times when the Church is closed.
 
In his homilies, Fr. Gerry will focus on the virtue of hope, the theme of the year. The Young Catholic Adults already came for Mass and Brunch; over one hundred women met to pray together, and other groups called to schedule their visit. “Hope is so needed in our world today,” he said. It is the Number One avenue of the Enemy in our life – when we lose hope, we lose joy and fall into despair.”  With Christ, everything is possible – this should come back into our hearts.

Phone number of the parish: (361) 882-1951
Mass Times:
Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm Spanish, Sunday: 8:00 am Spanish; 10:00 am & 12:00 pm English
Daily Mass:
Tuesday 8:00 am, Wednesday to Friday: 12:05 pm
Confession:
30 minutes before every mass 
Holy Rosary
45 minutes before every mass
Adoration:
Monday 6:00 to 7:00 pm