'La Virgen' a continuous symbol of culture and hope

For Catholics, December 12 marks an important religious holiday, The Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe (in Spanish, La Virgen Guadalupe). Last year, when South Kern Sol attended the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations in the city of Taft, we learned more about the tradition and asked residents what they were praying for.  Then, the resounding theme was immigration reform. This year we joined a procession of devotees in Bakersfield who walked through the rain and cold to honor “La Virgen Morena” (the dark virgin), as she is sometimes also called. A few of the faithful shared why La Virgen matters to them, and what they're asking for in 2015. Health, family, economic stability, and peace were among the responses. "My petition is stop the war in Mexico. There has been a lot of killings, I hope that ends. I also ask my family and for everyone.” Read more prayers on South Kern Sol.