Jackie Murillo, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Corpus Christi and a sophomore at Miller High School, carries the Antorcha Guadalupana on Nov. 2 as she leads a group of runners to their final destination for the day, Sacred Heart Church. Runners began the morning at St. Anthony Parish in Robstown as part of a three-month trek which began in Mexico City in October and will conclude on Dec. 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in New York City. The annual run is held to bring awareness for solidarity between Mexico and the U.S.

"I run for the love of Our Lady of Guadalupe," said Adalberto Zanes, a member of St. Anthony Parish in Robstown, and one of the founding members of the Carrera Antorcha Guadalupana, which crossed through the Diocese of Corpus Christi earlier this month.

The 2009 Carrera Antorcha Guadalupana, commonly called the Guadalupana Torch Run, began on October 3 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City and will conclude on Dec. 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, at St. Patrick Cathedral in New York City.

New York was the birthplace of the run, which began in 1998 as a method of highlighting immigration struggles and the need for solidarity between Mexico and the United States. The path was originally through the streets of New York City but took on the present international route in 2002.

A core team runs segments of the entire trek, while local participants join the runners on legs of the run that pass through their towns. A flaming torch is carried by runners.

The morning of November 2, a large group of runners arrived at St. Anthony's and were greeted by swarms of school children.

"The people of St. Anthony's parish are very supportive. The children waiting for us made me feel like a king," said Zanes.

The runners left St. Anthony's and arrived at Sacred Heart Church in Corpus Christi that evening.

As the runners neared the church, they were greeted by Aztec dancers, mariachis playing religious hymns and well-wishers comprised of families, young people and the elderly cheering for the runners.

Jackie Murillo, a sophomore at Miller High School, received the honor of carrying the torch up the church steps.

Mass was then celebrated in Spanish and presided by Bishop Edmond Carmody and concelebrated by guest homilist Father Eduardo Chavez of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, and priests of the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

"Our Lady is the Mother of the Church. Our Lady teaches us that we are all members of the family of God. The center of the community is God," said Father Chavez in his homily.

He explained how God gave his message to Juan Diego, a layman, to show that God loved the native people.

"God wanted Juan Diego to give this message to everyone in the world. The message is Jesus is my son and is the only God. Love Jesus as family."

Adalberto Zanes said that it is also the message of love that has kept him involved over the years. "While the Carrera Antorcha Guadalupe is helping to get out the message about immigration, I run for the love of Our Lady," he said. "I have seen grown men cry as they carry the torch because they are so touched by the love of Our Lady of Guadalupe."