Beloved shrine, light display honoring 'La Virgen de Guadalupe' returns to Santa Ana home

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- A beloved December tradition is lighting up a Santa Ana neighborhood.

For nearly three decades, Luis Cantabranas's shrine to "La Virgen De Guadalupe," which translates to "Our Lady of Guadalupe" and refers to the Virgin Mary, has drawn crowds that gather nightly to pray, sing and celebrate.

What started as a simple act of devotion and faith has turned into an elaborate display featuring thousands of Christmas lights as Cantabrana transforms his home to honor the Mexican patron saint.

"It's important because it's the mother of the Mexican people," he told Eyewitness News in Spanish.

It has since turned into a treasured Orange County tradition.

"He makes sure that every little corner, every little detail, is set up perfectly, just right. We take nine nights just to pray," said Lauren Santiago, of Santa Ana.

It takes Cantabrana several weeks to transform his home each year with some 10,000 lights and an elaborate flower-covered shrine - a true labor of love.

"All his devotion... he puts everything by himself... He goes to work his 8-hour shift, then he comes home and does it in the evening," said Zumla Munoz, his goddaughter.

Cantabrana says he'll continue doing it for as long as he can, but he could use extra hands. Donations help him replace lights.

"He loves to do it because he does it from the bottom of his heart, and it's nice to see that because people come and he gets all excited," Munoz added.

The final rosary will wrap up with a massive celebration Thursday night. The shrine and lights will stay up until the new year.