GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Hundreds of Hispanics from across the Bluegrass came together on the grounds of Cardome in Georgetown on Saturday to honor the Virgin Mary.

Parishioners gathered — safely, with COVID-19 precautions in mind — to celebrate the Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Bishop John Stowe said the tradition honors the appearance of Mary in 1531 and is celebrated by not just Hispanics wherever they go, but all around Latin America.

"The 12th of December remembers the appearance of Mary in Mexico City in the hill of Tepeyac in 1531. And every year since then, this day has been celebrated by Mexicans wherever they go in the world. And it's expanded beyond Mexico to all of Latin America," Stowe said.

"Lady of Guadalupe is a tradition for Mexico, but for all America. Because there was a bishop, he said that she's the mother of America. And that's what it's very important for us to celebrate this, that we are away from our home," said Lissette Nieto, a parishioner in attendance.

On a normal year, The Catholic Diocese of Lexington would hold this celebration in the Lexington Cathedral, but with COVID limiting gathering, church leaders look to Saints Francis and John Parish in Scott County and the grounds of the Cardome Center.

Parishioners like Juan Cortez are thankful to be able to worship at a time where so many things are closed or cancelled.

"A lot of places this is canceled, but thanks our father, our church, he let us to keep going our celebrate to Virgin Mary this day," Cortez said.

On Saturday, neither rain, high winds, or COVID-19 would prevent these parishioners from their pilgrimage to worship the beloved virgin.

"I'm glad that we have this opportunity, this special place. And it's almost designed for it with all the beautiful land here and the elevated steps where we can celebrate the mas," Stowe said.

"It's such a beautiful celebration, so it was a joy to have it here. And you see how many people came, even with the threat of rain, and cold, and everything else," Stowe said. "We saw the sun breaking through the crowds. And at the end of mass I said, that's kind of your job now. You've got to be that ray of sunshine in the midst of the cloudiness that's surrounding us, and the challenges, and difficulties of this time."

"Let's reflect Mary's love and be that ray of sun."