Address: 711 T St, Sacramento, CA 95811
Website: https://guadalupe-sacramento.org/
Overview
The modern mission-style building is the first church in the Diocese dedicated to serving the Hispanic community; and was officially designated as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 2007. Reverend Anthony Maio oversaw the building of the church designed by architect Harry Devine that was dedicated in December 1958. The church includes three large images of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of Mexico and co-patroness of the Diocese of Sacramento. Inside are beautiful dark wood altars and sconces supporting statues and images precious to the community. Also, inside is the tomb of Bishop Alfonse Gallegos, OAR, former parish pastor, and a champion of the Hispanic community, whose cause for beatification is proceeding. The church holds seven weekend Masses for its large and active parish.
Special things to see in the Church
• On the façade is a ten-by-twenty-foot mosaic image of Our Lady of Guadalupe made by Mexican artist Victor F. Marco.
• The central image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the sanctuary is a replica image of Our Lady of Guadalupe that was imprinted on the tilma of Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin in 1531 that is now enshrined in the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
• On the west wall of the church is a luminescent stained glass window of Our Lady of Guadalupe depicted in the slab-glass style of dalle-de-verre.
• The side altars along the west side of the nave, and sconces on the east side hold statues honoring numerous saints and sacred scenes including: the Crucifixion flanked by St. Rose of Lima and St. Martin de Porres. Also present are images of young Jesus represented as the Holy Infant of Atocha and the Infant Jesus of Prague.
• Blessed Bishop Alfonse Gallegos, OAR (1931-1991) is entombed in a side altar. His bishop’s coat of arms displays Jesus’ words, “Love one another.” (John 13:34) which is reflective of the beloved priest’s life and his work for the poor and marginalized. He was a supporter of immigrants, and supported the United Farm Workers of California. A statue of the Gallegos family patron St. Joseph is nearby the tomb. Read more about his cause for sainthood here: https://bishopgallegos.org/
• Murals of the Stations of the Cross adorn the upper part of the east wall. The exquisite depictions of the Via Dolorosa are easy to overlook.
Interesting Facts About the Church
Numerous statues of the Blessed Virgin which are important to the Hispanic people of the Americas are displayed in the church. These statues include: La Santisima Virgen de la Asuncion (The Holy Virgin of the Assumption); Virgen de Juquila, Oaxaca, Mexico (Virgin of Juquila); Madre Immaculada (Immaculate Mother); and Nuestra Sra de Suyapa Patrona de Honduras (Our Lady of Suyapa, Patroness of Honduras).
