A throng of 15,000 pilgrims is expected to take Chapala by storm Sunday, July 9 to accompany the revered Virgen de Zapopan on her annual summer trek to Mexico’s largest lake.
The traditional pilgrimage stands out as lakeside’s largest and most colorful religious happening. It is an excellent opportunity for foreign residents to witness a powerful manifestation of faith in divine powers to protect and replenish Lake Chapala by propitiating a benevolent rainy season.
The pint-size icon is scheduled to depart from the Zapopan Basilica around 10 a.m. Her custom-made Virgin mobile will stop briefly at the Restaurant de Chololo on the highway a short distance beyond the airport to pick up the 100-strong motorcycle escort that will roll along to the entrance of Chapala.
A huge entourage of devoted followers will be awaiting the Virgen’s arrival at the north end of Avenida Madero. Dressed this time in a royal blue outfit and safely ensconced in a crystal case, the statue will be transferred to large float adorned with floral arrangements and a replica of Chapala’s emblematic Fuente de Pescadores.
Hundreds of pilgrim will follow the acolytes, the San Francisco Drum and Bugle Corps, 30 ceremonial dance troupes decked out in splendid costumes, marching bands, platoons of uniformed honor guards and Guadalajara Archbishop Cardinal José Francisco Robles Ortega, who will join the Virgen for the hour-long procession set to run along the main thoroughfare from 11 a.m.
The parade breaks up at the edge of the Malecón where a giant altar is set up in front of the Fishermen’s Fountain. The Cardinal and a dozen priests will officiate at the celebration of the Mass starting noon.
Immediately after the service, the Virgin will be toted to the waterfront for a parade along the Malecón and a blessing over the lake held at the end of the pier. She will then be ensconced inside the church to remain for an overnight vigil. The religious festivities will be complemented by a program of live music staged in front of the fountain between 8 and 9 p.m.
At 9 a.m. the following morning, Monday, July 12, hundreds of devotees from Chapala and other lakeshore communities will congregate at the Chapala pier to join the Lake Queen on a nautical jaunt to the Isla de los Alacranes, weather permitting. Following a service at the island chapel and a communal feast hosted by local fishermen, the Virgin will go back to the church for a 1 p.m. Mass dedicated to the infirm and a 3 p.m. farewell service preceding her send-off on the return journey to Zapopan.