A new Guadalupan Institute has taken its first steps in San Antonio with the aim of researching, providing education on, and disseminating the Guadalupe event, as well as becoming a model for replication throughout the United States.
Father Rafael Becerra, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in the San Antonio suburb of Helotes, Texas, explained to EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News: "We want to research, provide formation on, and raise awareness about the entire Guadalupan event."
A retreat and a Guadalupan certificate program have been the first steps, Becerra said, confident that the project can grow and become "a Guadalupan center for the United States."
Becerra, a priest of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, noted that the "Truth about Guadalupe" certificate program began on Oct. 5 as an effort to "prepare ourselves for the 500th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe," which will be celebrated in 2031.
Assisting him in this project is Monsignor Eduardo Chávez, director of the Higher Institute of Guadalupan Studies in Mexico City and who is considered the leading expert on Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Chávez "is the one who teaches and gives this course via video," he said, noting that the diploma program will conclude in April 2027.
The course is taught in English to around 60 students and in Spanish to nearly 90.
Alongside Chávez, Alberto Mata and Javier Fernández, both experienced in the study and dissemination of the Guadalupe event, are also participating as facilitators for the program.
The initial sessions "have been extraordinary," noted Becerra, as the participants "are excited, want to keep learning, and above all are impressed by the greatness of the Virgin of Guadalupe and all the graces she has brought not only to Mexico but to humanity."
Through the course, he said, they aim to "collaborate in this great process of preparation for the 500th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe" and to foster the development of "equipped persons who can then return to their parishes and replicate this diploma course in various parishes across San Antonio."
Interested persons from Houston and Austin, Texas, have already contacted Becerra about the program, he said, so he hopes this will also serve as a "spearhead" that can be "replicated in the future in different places across the United States."
This story was first published by EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
