When Alma Robles was suffering from total facial paralysis several months ago, the Moreno Valley woman prayed to the Virgin of Guadalupe for help. She promised the virgin that, if her paralysis went away, she would show devotion to her in the days leading up to her Dec. 12 feast day.

One day about three months ago, most of the paralysis disappeared. On Saturday, Robles, 29, was inside St. Christopher Catholic Church in Moreno Valley for the eighth day in a row, giving thanks before a statue of the virgin.  "I prayed and asked for this miracle and she answered my prayer," Robles said.

Robles was one of hundreds of people who participated in a procession around the parking lot of St. Christopher Saturday. The procession, which included prayers and songs in honor of the virgin, was part of a day-long festival at the church. The Virgin Mary is seen as a conduit for prayers to God.

"She has a profound meaning for the entire Mexican people," Ceja said. "She gives us hope in a time of great anxiety, including economic crisis and the fact that many of our people are undocumented. She shares our journey, our grief and the sense of desperation we're facing. She is one of us."

Michel grew up in Guadalajara attending processions each year with her parents and the Moreno Valley woman wanted to instill the same love and devotion to the virgin in her son.

"It's the same thing my parents taught me: to respect the virgin and pray that she helps us," Michel, 45, said in Spanish. "For us Mexicans, it is important because she chose Mexico to appear."