Dec 12, 2015
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View of the bronze corpus of Christ as workers move it into the church to install it in the sanctuary. They finished the installation, and taking down the accompanying scaffolding, just four hours before the start of the dedication Mass.
The night before the dedication Mass, Father Israel Mago, pastor, unveils the mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe that is visible from the turnpike.
The night before the dedication Mass, Father Israel Mago unveils and blesses the marble sculpture of Our Lady of Guadalupe that graces the plaza outside the church. The sculpture is 8 feet tall and weighs 2 tons.
Entrance to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church from N.W. 25th Street in Doral.
Exterior of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on dedication morning, Dec. 12, 2015.
The bell tower at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral.
View of the 8-foot tall marble statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe designed by local artist Nilda Comas.
Crucifix and image of Our Lady of Guadalupe - touched to the original one in Mexico, making this one a third-class relic - that adorn the main altar. The bronze corpus of Christ on the cross weighs 600 pounds and is 10 feet tall; the cross is made of red oak, is 20 feet tall and weighs 400 pounds. The installation of both was completed a mere hours before the start of the dedication Mass.
Gabriela Acosta, 15, and Marielena Petrovich, 16, far left, join other volunteers from among Our Lady of Guadalupe's young altar servers and lectors to welcome parishioners to the dedication Mass. So many wanted to attend that the parish held a lottery to give out tickets. The new church seats around 1,200 people. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
A member of the Emmaus Bikers, one of the parish groups, receives final instructions from Father Israel Mago, pastor, before the start of the Mass.
An usher hands out programs at the dedication Mass.
Archdiocesan music director Gustavo Zayas directs the Our Lady of Guadalupe choir at the dedication Mass.
View of the bronze corpus and cross that hang on the altar, and together weigh 1,000 pounds.
Local artist Nilda Comas poses in front of the crucifix. She created the bronze corpus, a work she calls "Last Moments."
Usher Fernando Bolanos wipes construction dust off the pews before the dedication Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe church, chapel and parish hall in Doral. Workers finished putting up the 1,000-pound crucifix in the sanctuary and taking down the scaffolding around 6 a.m., just four hours before the start of the dedication Mass. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
View of the church's nave from the choir loft.
Relic of St. John Paul II that was placed under the altar during the dedication Mass.
One of the youngest parishioners is happy to be present for the dedication Mass.
A Mexican flag adorns one of the pews as parishioners take part in the dedication Mass.
Sara Nicole Almao Serrano, 2, whose family hails from Mexico, dressed up for the occasion. "We couldn't miss this Mass," said her mother, Andrea Serrano.
The 12 candles that run up the main nave of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church represent the 12 apostles, lighting the way for the Church. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
This is one of two stained glass windows that adorn Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral. Both depict a moment in the life of St. Juan Diego.
The second of two stained glass windows depicting a moment in the life of St. Juan Diego. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Awaiting the start of the Mass, from left: David Prada, director of the archdiocesan Office of Building and Property; Jose Murguido of Zyscovich Architects, the church's designer; and Juan Munilla of MCM Construction, the project's contractor.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski uses a key to open the door to the church at the start of the dedication Mass.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski hands the key to the church to its pastor, Father Israel Mago.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski watches as priests process into Our Lady of Guadalupe Church for the dedication Mass.
Deacon Ray Ortega, one of Our Lady of Guadalupe's first parishioners, enters the church carrying the relic that will be placed under the altar. He no longer lives in Doral but helps out at the church whenever he's in town. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
View of the sanctuary at the start of the Mass.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski sprinkles holy water to bless the tabernacle of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at the start of the dedication Mass. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Archbishop Thomas Wenski moves about the church blessing its walls and its people.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski moves about the church blessing its walls and its people.
Our Lady of Guadalupe's founding pastor, Msgr. Tomas Marin, takes part in the dedication Mass. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
View of the church during the dedication Mass.
Parishioner Alberto Orzo proclaims the first reading.
Barbara Romani, the first lay minister assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes, proclaims the second reading.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski preaches the homily during the dedication Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
View of the church during the dedication Mass.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski kneels in prayer during the litany of the saints that marked the start of the Rite of Dedication of an Altar. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Taking part in the dedication Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral, from left: Miami Archbishop Emeritus John C. Favalora, Miami Auxiliary Bishop Peter Baldacchino, and Bishop Fernando Isern, emeritus of Pueblo, Colorado. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Archbishop Thomas Wenski prepares to place the relic of St. John Paul II under the altar.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski places a relic of St. John Paul II under the altar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Archbishop Thomas Wenski pours oil of chrism on the altar during the rite of anointing.
Bishop Fernando Isern, emeritus of Pueblo, Colorado, anoints a crucifix on one of the side walls of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski "lights the altar," a reminder that Christ is "a light to enlighten the nations" (Luke 2:32).
Archbishop Thomas Wenski incenses the altar. The prayer that accompanies this rite says: "Lord, may our prayer ascend as incense in your sight. As this building is filled with fragrance, so may your Church fill the world with the fragrance of Christ."
Four longtime parishioners begin the process of clothing the altar after Archbishop Thomas Wenski anointed it with oil. From left: Lelia Silva, Magaly Hamm, Carmencita Romanach and Jean Sun.
Four longtime parishioners place the linen on the altar, from left, rear: Lourdes Millan and Marilyn Salani; facing toward altar, Truemin Chin and Rosemary Ortega.
In one of the most moving moments of the dedication Mass, Diego Planos, 13, impersonating St. Juan Diego, opens his "tilma" and drops flowers on the sanctuary. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Diego Planos, 13, impersonates St. Juan Diego at the start of the offertory procession. His family is from Mexico but have been members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church since he was born. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Rose petals dropped on the altar by a boy portraying St. Juan Diego.
A member of the Knights of Columbus takes up the Silver Rose during the offertory, a gift from Supreme Knight Carl Anderson which symbolizes the union of Knights in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada under the mantle of the patroness of the Americas.
Parishioners take up a papal blessing during the offertory.
Young parishioners take up the candles that will be placed on the altar.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski, bishops and Father Israel Mago and Msgr. Tomas Marin, far right, pastor and founding pastor, respectively, concelebrate the Mass.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski consecrates the Eucharist during the dedication Mass for Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
About 50 priests attended the dedication Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral.
Parishioners applaud their pastor, Father Israel Mago, among them his mother, Margarita Mago, second from right.
Father Israel Mago thanks his parishioners, the donors, the designers and the builders at the conclusion of the Mass.
Parishioners clap as Father Israel Mago, pastor, concludes his remarks during the Mass.
Members of the mariachi Mi Mexico conclude the celebration by singing the traditional "Mañanitas" in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe's feast day.
A member of the mariachi Mi Mexico serenades Our Lady of Guadalupe on her feast day after the end of the dedication Mass. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Archbishop Thomas Wenski looks up at the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe as the mariachis Mi Mexico sing the traditional "Mañanitas" in honor of her feast day.
At the end of the Mass, many gathered around the altar to say a prayer to the patroness of the Americas.
The marble sculpture of Our Lady of Guadalupe that graces the plaza outside the church is 8 feet tall and weighs 2 tons. It was created by local artist Nilda Comas and produced in Pietrasanta, Italy.
View of the mosaic and bell tower at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral as seen from the Turnpike.
Colombian-American artist Beatriz Ramirez poses in front of one of the 28 porcelain images of the Blessed Mother, each a different patroness of a country in the Americas, that flank the 14 Stations of the Cross in the plaza of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
The night before the dedication Mass, Father Israel Mago, pastor, unveils the mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe that is visible from the turnpike.
The night before the dedication Mass, Father Israel Mago unveils and blesses the marble sculpture of Our Lady of Guadalupe that graces the plaza outside the church. The sculpture is 8 feet tall and weighs 2 tons.
Entrance to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church from N.W. 25th Street in Doral.
Exterior of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on dedication morning, Dec. 12, 2015.
The bell tower at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral.
View of the 8-foot tall marble statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe designed by local artist Nilda Comas.
Crucifix and image of Our Lady of Guadalupe - touched to the original one in Mexico, making this one a third-class relic - that adorn the main altar. The bronze corpus of Christ on the cross weighs 600 pounds and is 10 feet tall; the cross is made of red oak, is 20 feet tall and weighs 400 pounds. The installation of both was completed a mere hours before the start of the dedication Mass.
Gabriela Acosta, 15, and Marielena Petrovich, 16, far left, join other volunteers from among Our Lady of Guadalupe's young altar servers and lectors to welcome parishioners to the dedication Mass. So many wanted to attend that the parish held a lottery to give out tickets. The new church seats around 1,200 people. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
A member of the Emmaus Bikers, one of the parish groups, receives final instructions from Father Israel Mago, pastor, before the start of the Mass.
An usher hands out programs at the dedication Mass.
Archdiocesan music director Gustavo Zayas directs the Our Lady of Guadalupe choir at the dedication Mass.
View of the bronze corpus and cross that hang on the altar, and together weigh 1,000 pounds.
Local artist Nilda Comas poses in front of the crucifix. She created the bronze corpus, a work she calls "Last Moments."
Usher Fernando Bolanos wipes construction dust off the pews before the dedication Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe church, chapel and parish hall in Doral. Workers finished putting up the 1,000-pound crucifix in the sanctuary and taking down the scaffolding around 6 a.m., just four hours before the start of the dedication Mass. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
View of the church's nave from the choir loft.
Relic of St. John Paul II that was placed under the altar during the dedication Mass.
One of the youngest parishioners is happy to be present for the dedication Mass.
A Mexican flag adorns one of the pews as parishioners take part in the dedication Mass.
Sara Nicole Almao Serrano, 2, whose family hails from Mexico, dressed up for the occasion. "We couldn't miss this Mass," said her mother, Andrea Serrano.
The 12 candles that run up the main nave of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church represent the 12 apostles, lighting the way for the Church. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
This is one of two stained glass windows that adorn Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral. Both depict a moment in the life of St. Juan Diego.
The second of two stained glass windows depicting a moment in the life of St. Juan Diego. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Awaiting the start of the Mass, from left: David Prada, director of the archdiocesan Office of Building and Property; Jose Murguido of Zyscovich Architects, the church's designer; and Juan Munilla of MCM Construction, the project's contractor.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski uses a key to open the door to the church at the start of the dedication Mass.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski hands the key to the church to its pastor, Father Israel Mago.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski watches as priests process into Our Lady of Guadalupe Church for the dedication Mass.
Deacon Ray Ortega, one of Our Lady of Guadalupe's first parishioners, enters the church carrying the relic that will be placed under the altar. He no longer lives in Doral but helps out at the church whenever he's in town. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
View of the sanctuary at the start of the Mass.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski sprinkles holy water to bless the tabernacle of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at the start of the dedication Mass. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Archbishop Thomas Wenski moves about the church blessing its walls and its people.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski moves about the church blessing its walls and its people.
Our Lady of Guadalupe's founding pastor, Msgr. Tomas Marin, takes part in the dedication Mass. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
View of the church during the dedication Mass.
Parishioner Alberto Orzo proclaims the first reading.
Barbara Romani, the first lay minister assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes, proclaims the second reading.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski preaches the homily during the dedication Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
View of the church during the dedication Mass.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski kneels in prayer during the litany of the saints that marked the start of the Rite of Dedication of an Altar. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Taking part in the dedication Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral, from left: Miami Archbishop Emeritus John C. Favalora, Miami Auxiliary Bishop Peter Baldacchino, and Bishop Fernando Isern, emeritus of Pueblo, Colorado. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Archbishop Thomas Wenski prepares to place the relic of St. John Paul II under the altar.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski places a relic of St. John Paul II under the altar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Archbishop Thomas Wenski pours oil of chrism on the altar during the rite of anointing.
Bishop Fernando Isern, emeritus of Pueblo, Colorado, anoints a crucifix on one of the side walls of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski "lights the altar," a reminder that Christ is "a light to enlighten the nations" (Luke 2:32).
Archbishop Thomas Wenski incenses the altar. The prayer that accompanies this rite says: "Lord, may our prayer ascend as incense in your sight. As this building is filled with fragrance, so may your Church fill the world with the fragrance of Christ."
Four longtime parishioners begin the process of clothing the altar after Archbishop Thomas Wenski anointed it with oil. From left: Lelia Silva, Magaly Hamm, Carmencita Romanach and Jean Sun.
Four longtime parishioners place the linen on the altar, from left, rear: Lourdes Millan and Marilyn Salani; facing toward altar, Truemin Chin and Rosemary Ortega.
In one of the most moving moments of the dedication Mass, Diego Planos, 13, impersonating St. Juan Diego, opens his "tilma" and drops flowers on the sanctuary. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Diego Planos, 13, impersonates St. Juan Diego at the start of the offertory procession. His family is from Mexico but have been members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church since he was born. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Rose petals dropped on the altar by a boy portraying St. Juan Diego.
A member of the Knights of Columbus takes up the Silver Rose during the offertory, a gift from Supreme Knight Carl Anderson which symbolizes the union of Knights in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada under the mantle of the patroness of the Americas.
Parishioners take up a papal blessing during the offertory.
Young parishioners take up the candles that will be placed on the altar.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski, bishops and Father Israel Mago and Msgr. Tomas Marin, far right, pastor and founding pastor, respectively, concelebrate the Mass.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski consecrates the Eucharist during the dedication Mass for Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
About 50 priests attended the dedication Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral.
Parishioners applaud their pastor, Father Israel Mago, among them his mother, Margarita Mago, second from right.
Father Israel Mago thanks his parishioners, the donors, the designers and the builders at the conclusion of the Mass.
Parishioners clap as Father Israel Mago, pastor, concludes his remarks during the Mass.
Members of the mariachi Mi Mexico conclude the celebration by singing the traditional "Mañanitas" in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe's feast day.
A member of the mariachi Mi Mexico serenades Our Lady of Guadalupe on her feast day after the end of the dedication Mass. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC)
Archbishop Thomas Wenski looks up at the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe as the mariachis Mi Mexico sing the traditional "Mañanitas" in honor of her feast day.
At the end of the Mass, many gathered around the altar to say a prayer to the patroness of the Americas.
The marble sculpture of Our Lady of Guadalupe that graces the plaza outside the church is 8 feet tall and weighs 2 tons. It was created by local artist Nilda Comas and produced in Pietrasanta, Italy.
View of the mosaic and bell tower at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral as seen from the Turnpike.
Colombian-American artist Beatriz Ramirez poses in front of one of the 28 porcelain images of the Blessed Mother, each a different patroness of a country in the Americas, that flank the 14 Stations of the Cross in the plaza of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
Photography: TOM TRACY | FC
