Friday marks a significant cultural tradition for Catholics, especially within the Latino community, as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sacramento hosts its annual celebration, offering a sense of refuge and resilience amid a challenging year.

"For us it's like a national holiday," said attendees, highlighting the importance of the Virgin of Guadalupe as a symbol of faith, identity and belonging. The celebration at the shrine is vibrant and lively, featuring masses, music, prayers and hundreds of people gathering.

"A lot of people have found refuge in their faith. A safe place where they can come and pray and worship and gather," Mauricio Hurtado from the Diocese of Sacramento said.

This year, the message of refuge carries even more weight.

Irma Gutiérrez, a member of t

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