Archdiocese of San Francisco / Facebook (Left), Adobe Stock (Right)
CV NEWS FEED // Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone is launching an ambitious multi-year initiative with the Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship called “Project Guadalupe 2031.” The initiative is a response to Pope Francis’ 2022 request to prepare for the 500th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
A press release from the Benedict XVI Institute stated that even though Pope Francis’ statement was made two years ago, few English-speaking Catholics are aware of his invitation to prepare for the upcoming feast.
In response, Archbishop Cordileone of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, Bishop Michael Barber of Oakland, California; Bishop Edward Burns of Dallas, Texas; Cardinal Raymond Burke; Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska; Bishop Kevin Vann of Orange County, California; the Basilica of St. Mary’s in Alexandria, Virginia, and Christendom College are partnering with the Benedict XVI Institute to promote Project Guadalupe 2031.
“Our Lady of Guadalupe changed a continent,” Archbishop Cordileone said. “The 500th anniversary of her appearance to a poor, indigenous farmer in Tepeyac is also the 500th anniversary of the birth of Christianity in the Americas; we hope all Christians but especially all U.S. Catholics will join us in preparing to welcome Mary into our hearts and homes.”
One of the major aspects of the movement is celebrations of Frank La Rocca’s Mass of the Americas at parishes across the country. Archbishop Cordileone commissioned the Mass dedicated to both Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, which features music in English, Latin, Spanish, and Nahuatl.
On October 7, 2025, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Archbishop Cordileone will celebrate the Mass of the Americas at the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, the Insigne y Nacional Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe.
“This is the fulfilment of a great dream of mine, praise God — to bring this beautiful unity Mass to Our Mother to the place she appeared a half a millennium ago,” the Archbishop stated. “My thanks to the brilliant young Mestizo-American conductor Richard Carrillo who will be leading a festival choir in celebrating the Mass of the Americas with me.”
Jubilate Tours is organizing a pilgrimage to Mexico City for the event. The pilgrimage is open to music directors and choir members interested in joining the festival choir as well as non-musicians who want to attend the Mass.
