When the temples were
completed, the icon was blessed
and crowned. Then a procession of
great magnitude and fanfare would
place the statue of that particular
Blessed Virgin on the site.The icon of the Blessed Virgin is
hoisted upon menís shoulders and
paraded before the people. The
faithful recite the Rosary as the
image of the Virgin passes by.This is a picture of a procession
honoring the Virgin of Guadalupe.These processions are re-enacted every year on the feast days assigned to that
representation of the Virgin. This procession is led by an altar boy carrying the
magic wafer (see chapter 22) in a golden monstrance.
ìAnd now in Babylon you will see borne upon menís shoulders
gods of silver and gold and wood, which cast fear upon the
pagans. Take care that you yourselves do not imitate their alien
example and stand in fear of them when you see the crowd before
them and behind worshipping them.î Baruch 6:3-5 (emphasis mine)
ìPeople bring goldÖand furnish crowns for the heads of their
gods.î Baruch 6:8-9
Surprisingly, the preceding quotes are from an approved Catholic bible. They are
contained in a portion known as the Apocrypha. Most Protestant churches do not
accept the apocryphal books as inspired scripture.
Each year millions of faithful Catholics make pilgrimages to these holy temples in
the hopes of obtaining a miracle, or getting their request granted from the Holy
Mother.