Since 1955, the Virgin of Zapopan has visited Lake Chapala, and this year, her visit is scheduled for Sunday, July 12.
Known as the “Queen of the Lake,” the pilgrim image is venerated because the recovery of Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico, is attributed to her.
The tradition began in 1955 when a severe drought threatened Lake Chapala and, consequently, the Guadalajara metropolitan area.
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At that time, the Archbishop of Guadalajara was José Garibi Rivera, who heeded the request of the faithful and brought the venerated image of Our Lady of Zapopan on pilgrimage to Chapala.
There, by the lake, they implored her for the gift of rain, and soon after, the rains began, and the lake’s levels returned to normal, giving rise to an annual pilgrimage of thanksgiving and supplication, according to the Archdiocese of Guadalajara.
Over time, the faithful began to call her “Queen of the Lake,” and the title was officially recognized with her coronation on July 12, 2009. Since then, her visit has taken place on the second Sunday of July to give thanks for the gift of water and to ask God for good weather.
This year, the pilgrim image will visit the Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi in Chapala, located in the center of the municipality, distinguished by its two towers.
This will be the 71st visit of Our Lady of Expectation of Zapopan, Queen of the Lake, and this year’s theme is “Virgin of Zapopan, path of peace and good.”
This motto is inspired by the commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the Chapala Parish, and expresses the desire to ask, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, for peace for families, communities, and the country.
The visit is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the entrance to Chapala, where the image will be carried in a float for the welcoming procession. Around 11:30 a.m., the blessing of Lake Chapala will take place in the area of the lighthouse.
At 12:00 p.m., Cardinal José Francisco Robles Ortega, from Guadalajara, will celebrate Mass in the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, accompanied by his auxiliary bishops and priests.
On Monday, July 13th at 10:00 AM there will be a pilgrimage of the venerated image to Scorpion Island, mass and prayer for good weather together with fishermen and boatmen, to leave back to Zapopan around 4:45 PM.
Source: oem
