Traditions renew our soul and define who we are. They are part of what holds a society together. They are reminders that we are part of something greater than ourselves. They give us roots. For me, the old Guadalupe Mission, now long gone, located next to the viaduct on 4th South and 4th West, is a tradition still so much a part of me.
Every Dec. 12, as the sun rises, a festive serenade with las mañanitas starts the day to honor the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe — and feast it is. It is to honor “La Morena” (the brown Madonna), Mexico’s patron saint, and celebrated in Mexican communities worldwide. Though the old mission is gone, the tradition lives on at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Salt Lake City.
For me growing up, it was a special and fun day, and I remember my mother telling us about the miracle of our Lady of Guadalupe and how she became the patron saint of Mexico. She would, in reverent tones, tell us that the mother of Jesus appeared to an indigenous Indian named Juan Diego on top of Tepeyac Hill in Mexico and told him to send a message to the Catholic bishop to build a church on that site. When Juan Diego went to give the message to the bishop, no one would believe him. Later, when Juan Diego passed the hill again, the Lady told him to pick some roses from the barren hill and carry them in his apron to the bishop as proof of her message to build a church on the hill. When Juan Diego went to the bishop on Dec. 12, he let the roses drop at the bishop's feet, and on his apron was imprinted the image of the Virgen de Guadalupe. It was a miracle, and then the bishop believed the humble Indian. Her church was built on Tepeyac where the commemoration of Our Lady of Guadalupe began in 1531, and a Mexican holiday since 1859.
As a child, I saw the mission as the center of my universe, and the Virgen de Guadalupe was a special saint — the patron saint of Mexico. Dec. 12 started with an early morning Mass, some people playing their guitars, and a children's choir singing "las mañanitas" (comparable to a happy birthday song in English) with the congregation. Later that evening, we would return to church to pray the rosary. I could hardly wait for the praying to end so we could go back to the smaller room where we broke the piñata. For our parents, it was a very religious event, but for us kids, it was a great day to have some fun and eat Mexican food and treats. Throughout the day, burning incense was used to bless our patron saint and the congregation, and it filled the church with a familiar scent that still lingers in my mind today.
So, this Saturday when the sun rises, you may want to bask in the celebration of the Virgen de Guadalupe’s birthday, or take the time to celebrate your own tradition. You may find it’s tonic for the soul, and that you are part of something more than yourself.
Utahn John Florez served on the U.S. Senate Labor Committee and as Utah industrial commissioner. His Bush 41 White House appointments included deputy assistant secretary of labor and Commission on Hispanic Education member. jdflorez@comcast.net.