MEXICO CITY — On the occasion of Mexico’s Virgin of Guadalupe Day, millions of devotees converged to celebrate the nation’s patron saint. However, the calls from the Roman Catholic Church for a ceasefire amid the persistent violence from drug cartels seemed to fall on deaf ears, as additional fatalities were reported across the country on Thursday.

Massive crowds filled Mexico City’s Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, serenading with the classic birthday tune “Las mañanitas” in honor of the Virgin on the 493rd anniversary of her miraculous apparition that occurred in 1531. The festive atmosphere included mariachi bands and traditional dancers amidst the basilica’s blend of contemporary and colonial architecture.

Among the attendees, María Luisa Vázquez Mendoza, a 33-year-old homemaker, expressed her gratitude after walking for 16 hours from the neighboring State of Mexico to the basilica. “I’m thankful for another year of life and that my family is safe,” she shared. Vázquez Mendoza described the emotional moment of arriving at the basilica’s gates, stating, “You feel joy in your heart. Your body relaxes completely; you don’t feel pain or tiredness anymore.”

Earlier this week, the Mexican Council of Bishops issued a public statement urging an end to the rampant violence and divisive rhetoric that has plagued the nation. “In a country where violence has left painful wounds in families and polarization among the public, this is a proposal to reflect, and act in favor of reconciliation and human dignity,” they noted through a church-operated platform, Desde la Fe.

In stark contrast, the northern-central state of Guanajuato, notorious for having the highest homicide rate among Mexico’s 32 states, experienced particularly grim violence on this day. Authorities reported the discovery of 15 bodies scattered across various cities, with indications that the toll could increase. In one distressing scene, human remains were found abandoned on a highway near Salvatierra, with ongoing investigations regarding the true number of victims involved.

Local reports highlighted disturbing incidents where dismembered human remains were left in black garbage bags inside a truck, accompanied by a banner attributed to a drug cartel. Official statistics indicated that, on average, there have been 8.5 homicides per day in Guanajuato throughout 2023.

Despite the prevailing violence, Vázquez Mendoza expressed hope that the Church’s plea for peace might resonate and urge people “to be a little more human, more conscious.” Authorities noted that over 11 million pilgrims visited the Basilica in the days leading up to the festive day, with many traveling from remote villages, and others making the journey by bike or bus to the expansive courtyard filled with tents where devotees spent the night.

The chilly weather and the long trek did not deter these pilgrims, many of whom carried flowers or large images of the Virgin for the final stretch. According to church history, in 1531, the dark-skinned Virgin appeared to an Indigenous peasant named Juan Diego, leaving her image on his cloak, which remains on display at the basilica. Juan Diego was canonized a saint by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

Many attendees arrived at the basilica as an act of gratitude, with some, like street vendor Christofer Hernández, completing the last leg of their journey barefoot or on their knees. Among the 200 bicyclists who traveled over 60 miles from the nearby state of Tlaxcala was Arturo Rivas, who expressed his enthusiasm for the annual pilgrimage, stating, “We are excited to come year after year. This is what our parents taught us.”