Dec. 12, 2009 -- PHOENIX, AZ: A girl plays the Virgin of Guadalupe during a procession to honor the Virgin at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Phoenix, AZ. Most of the members of the church are Hispanic and Dec. 12, Virgin of Guadalupe Day, is one of the church's most important holy days. The Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego, a Mexican peasant, on Dec 9, 1531, on a hillside near Mexico City. She is the "Queen of Mexico" and "Empress of the Americas" and revered throughout Latin America.  Photo by Jack Kurtz