For the first time in the history of the Guadalupe Torch Run, Angelenos are bringing the blessed fire back to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Since 2002, runners representing Mexico's migrant community have brought the blessed fire from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City to New York City. This year marks the first time the Run will have a West Coast leg in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Runners will take the Torch to churches throughout the Archdiocese in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles Counties prior to arriving in East Los Angeles for the Archdiocese's 77th Annual Procession and Mass in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe on Dec. 7.

The Los Angeles delegation received the blessed fire when the Torch crossed the U.S. border from Matamoros, Mexico, into Brownsville, Texas, on Oct. 31. The torch was received in Guadalupe, at the northwest corner of the archdiocese, on Nov. 15, and was scheduled to arrive at Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes in Santa Barbara (Nov. 16), Santa Paula (Nov. 18), Oxnard (Nov. 21), Hermosa beach (Nov. 22), Cudahy (Nov. 23), Rose Hill (Nov. 24), Irwindale (Nov. 25), El Monte (Nov. 28), East L.A. Sanctuary (Nov. 29) and East L.A. on Hammel Street (Nov. 30).

"We are honored to share the blessed fire with the people of Los Angeles as part of our Archdiocesan celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe," said Msgr. John Moretta, pastor of Resurrection Church and Chair of the 2008 Guadalupe Committee. "The Guadalupe Torch will carry the theme and message of this year's Guadalupe celebration throughout our Archdiocese."

"This year has been a difficult one for our migrant communities in the U.S.," he added. "The Torch will bring that ray of hope directly to our immigrant communities during these difficult times, when good hardworking people are living in fear and parents are being separated from their children because of continued raids due to a lack of real immigration reform."

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Procession and Mass Dec. 7 begins at noon, at the corner of Cesar Chavez Avenue and Ford Street in East Los Angeles. Information: (323) 268-1141 or (323) 269-2733.