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Pilgrims carrying images of the Virgin of Guadalupe wait to be allowed into the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Friday, Dec. 12, 2014. Every year hundreds of thousands of people from across the country, many carrying images or statues of Mexico's patron saint to be blessed, converge at the Basilica on Dec. 12, the Virgin's feast day. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)![Mexico_Virgin_of_Guad_Garc__1_]()
Itzi Jazmin Gallardo watches videos on her phone as her family settles in for the night in front of their images of the Virgin of Guadalupe, on a street near the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Friday, Dec. 12, 2014. Gallardo's family walked eight hours from the southern district of Xochimilco to the Basilica, a pilgrimage they make yearly. Every year hundreds of thousands of people from across the country, many carrying images or statues of Mexico's patron saint to be blessed, converge at the Basilica on Dec. 12, the Virgin's feast day. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)![15375088543_433f01fa65_k]()
Photo by David Agren.![Mexico_Virgin_of_Guad_Garc__2_]()
Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe camp out overnight in the plaza of the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, in the early morning hours of Friday, Dec. 12, 2014. Every year hundreds of thousands of people from across the country, many carrying images or statues of Mexico's patron saint to be blessed, converge at the Basilica on Dec. 12, the Virgin's feast day. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)![Mexico_Virgin_of_Guad_Garc__5_]()
Pilgrims fill a street as they arrive carrying banners decorated with her image to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Nationwide, devotees of the Virgin make a pilgrimage to the Basilica in honor of her Dec. 12 feast day. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![Mexico_Virgin_of_Guad_Garc__4_]()
A pilgrim carries a statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe on his back outside the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Nationwide, devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe make a pilgrimage to the Basilica in honor of her Dec. 12 feast day. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![15809066377_bbad7cc426_k]()
Photo by David Agren.![Mexico_Virgin_of_Guad_Garc__6_]()
A man crawls on his knees, carrying an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe on his back, as he approaches the entrance to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Nationwide, devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe make a pilgrimage to the Basilica in honor of her Dec. 12 feast day. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![15808918957_2b7828bed1_k]()
Photo by David Agren.![15808769299_49b802fa9e_k]()
Photo by David Agren.![15992756641_eef46c483f_k]()
Photo by David Agren.![15969116916_0b8249c9b8_k]()
Photo by David Agren.![APTOPIX_Mexico_Virgin_Garc]()
Anarita Ruelas, wearing her hand-made Virgin of Guadalupe costume, poses for a picture at the entrance of the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Ruelas said she traveled from her home in Guadalajara and that this is her eighth consecutive year to make the pilgrimage in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe's Dec. 12 feast day. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![15994910335_65d55a1ce1_k]()
Photo by David Agren.![Mexico_Virgin_of_Guad_Garc__7_]()
People look at a fellow pilgrim's statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe encased in glass as they gather outside the entrance to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Nationwide, devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe make a pilgrimage to the Basilica in honor of her Dec. 12 feast day. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![15994951795_8118ffabe3_k]()
Photo by David Agren.![Mexico_Virgin_of_Guad_Garc__8_]()
Pilgrims fill a street as they arrive to the Basilica of Guadalupe, carrying statues and images of her in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Nationwide, devotees of the Virgin make a pilgrimage to the Basilica in honor of her Dec. 12 feast day. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![15992989171_f3e4e6b1e4_k]()
Photo by David Agren.![Mexico_Virgin_of_Guad_Garc__3_]()
Members of a pre-Hispanic music and dance troupe pray to the Virgin of Guadalupe, as they camp out overnight in the plaza of the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, in the early morning hours of Friday, Dec. 12, 2014. Every year hundreds of thousands of people from across the country, many carrying images or statues of Mexico's patron saint to be blessed, converge at the Basilica on Dec. 12, the Virgin's feast day. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)![15995090255_74afed6959_k__1_]()
Photo by David Agren.Despite violence, Mexicans give thanks to Virgen de Guadalupe
Peace is a word that resounds loudly in this year’s celebration of the Mexican virgin. However, many are reluctant to have the centenary tradition of thanksgiving and devotion tainted with the unpleasant realities of widespread crime.
Move Forward
- Despite violence, Mexicans give thanks to Virgen de Guadalupe
