As Mother Nature begins working her rainy season wonders, local Roman Catholics are making ready to raise prayers to Mother Mary for divine intervention to protect and replenish Lake Chapala.

Thousands of pilgrims will congregate to manifest their devotion to the Virgen de Zapopan on Sunday, July 14 when the revered icon arrives for her traditional summer visit to lakeside. It will mark the fourth anniversary of her coronation as La Reina del Lago (Queen of the Lake), one the many honorary titles the image of the Virgin of

Expectation has accrued over four and a half centuries reigning as Jalisco’s principal religious patroness and protector against strife, plagues and natural disasters.  

The celebration of faith will start with a spectacular procession running the full length of Avenida Madero, departing from the north end at 11 a.m. to finish at the steps of the San Francisco parish for an outdoor mass.

The huge entourage accompanying La Reina del Lago includes troupes of ritual dancers decked out in native costumes, an honor guard outfitted in neat navy and white uniforms and a traffic police motorcycle escort. The statue will appear in regal finery, riding to the church aboard an elaborate float. Decorations for this year will follow a green and yellow color scheme selected to symbolize the trip to Brazil that Pope Francis has scheduled for later in the month.