Our Lady of the Assumption
Claremont, California
Thursday and Friday, October 29-30, 1999
Our Lady's image arrives from Sacred Heart Parish in Pomona around 4:00 pm, Thursday.  She is met by the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Color Guard.
 

She is reverently borne from the truck by members of Nueva Esperanza, OLA's Hispanic Young Adult Group, "New Hope."
Procession to her place near the outdoor stage.  Two thousand chairs have been set up in the field
 
Musicians from the Spanish Choir serenade Our Lady.
Humberto Ramos, Associate Director of Hispanic Ministries for the Archdiocese speaks at the Welcome Ceremony.
 
The Knights stand faithful guard during the Welcome Ceremony.
"Mama" Maureen McKanveny also is on hand to greet Our Lady.
 
Children "Aztec Dancers" give the gift of their enthusiasm to Our Lady.
The veneration begins outdoors.
Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of the Mass at 7:00 p.m. and the procession to the Church which followed the Mass.
 
After Mass, veneration continues all night in the Church.
During the all-night veneration,  representatives from various groups lead the Rosary and other prayers at all hours.
 
At 5:00 a.m., Friday, the Church filled up again for Mananitas.  If you look carefully, you can see the Mariachis in front of the tabernacle area.
The man in white next the Mariachis is Roberto Roman, director of the Spanish Choir.
 
Flowers gave ample testimony to peoples' devotion!
At about 7:00 a.m., the image of Our Lady is taken back outside..
XXX
Cuidado! Careful going through the doorway!
The informal procession goes through the chill of early morning.
 
Sunlight arrives to greet the Virgin in the "great outdoors". . .
. . . and the sun prepares to bathe the beautiful Virgin in its gentle rays.
 
Veneration continues through the morning. . .
(Pictures during the Mass were taken by Mariela Ortega.)
. . . and befor you know it, it's time for Mass.  The Knights are back.  (The photographer you see is Tod Tamberg, editor of The Tidings--Archdiocesan Catholic Newspaper.)
 
Dancers from the Vietnamese community prepare to honor Our Lady at the beginning of the Mass . . .
. . . with beauty and grace.
 
During the Mass, Deacon Art Escovedo, the servers and I waited . . .
. . . while Vietnamese children danced with the gifts of bread and wine.
 
It was worth the wait.  We may be the only parish where the Virgin of Guadalupe was honored with the burning of Vietnamese incense sticks!
The combined choirs of OLA provided the music for the Mass.
 
Mary points to Jesus, her Son, who remains with us in the Eucharist.
"Peace is My gift to you."
I'm sharing the sign of peace with Deacon Art Escovedo.  To the left is Fr. Vicente Lopez, a Carmelite priest who gave the homily.  Fr. Anthony is being hugged by a young admirer, with another evidently waiting her turn.
 
Fr. Kris Offor giving Communion.
At the end of the Mass, Fr. Vicente seems quite interested in watching Fr. John Tran being sure the Vietnamese dancers get in the procession.  I'm noting that it's hard to keep folks away from the image of Our Lady.
 
After Mass, veneration continues informally and leisurely for a precious couple of hours.
And all too soon, it is time for her to leave.
 
She is gently place in the frame on the white truck.
A few last goodbyes . . .
 
. . . and flowers.
And off she goes . . .
 
. . . bound for St. John Vianney Parish in Hacienda Heights.
Officer Tony Acosta of the Claremont PD, along with Sgt. Rick Mellem, helped keep OurLady and the rest of us safe.  He joins me in hoping you enjoyed this tour.

Put together as a way of unwinding from the whole thing by Fr. Tom Welbers
"To Jesus through Mary!"