Relay run from Mexico to New York held to honor Virgin Mary

December 12 marks the day millions of Mexican Catholics pay homage to the Virgin Mary. And for the past 12 years, the day has also marked the day a relay run from Mexico to New York culminates.

The international run, known as Carrera Antorcha Guadalupana, began this year in Mexico City at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Sept. 21 and is set to end at a church in New York City on Friday.

Organizers say the more than 2,500-mile relay run “brings together two nations and thousands of families divided by the border” to pay homage to the Virgin Mary. This year, about 7,000 people took turns carrying a torch throughout various states across Mexico and the United States.

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Joel Magallán, executive director of Asociación Tepeyac in New York City, said the relay run serves as a way to celebrate the appearance of the Virgin Mary to an indigenous man named Juan Diego in 1531. The incident eventually led millions in Mexico to join the Catholic faith. The Virgin Mary is now seen as the patron saint of Mexico.

Magallán added that for years, the relay run has also served as a way to pray for an immigration reform that would legalize millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States, many of whom are Mexican. But he said this year is a little different.

“This year we are offering this run to the Virgin of Guadalupe in gratitude for having inspired President Obama to take action,” he said.

Magallán was referring to the executive actions that Obama took last month to offer undocumented immigrants the chance to apply for temporary relief from deportation and a work permit. Some 5 million undocumented immigrants, including parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, are expected to benefit.

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Magallán added that the run also serves as a way to stand in solidarity with the Mexican families of the 43 students who went missing in Guerrero, Mexico, on Sept. 26.

Mexican authorities say the students were kidnapped and killed by gang members. They also believe a former mayor and his wife are the probable masterminds behind the students’ disappearance.

Magallán said the situation in Mexico is “very concerning” for many Mexicans living in the United States. But he said he has faith that the Virgin Mary will answer their prayers and bring peace.

“We feel that the Virgin Mary has always been at the beginning of something new,” he said. “She has always been there to lift the heads of the humble so that they can have a better situation.”

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