El Dia de Guadelupe

Here are some images that I was working on yesterday for El Sanctuario de Guadalupe in Mecca, CA.
They are from the huge three day and night celebration of The Virgin's Day, December 12.

Hundreds of people show up for the communion services, the music, the food, and especially for the presentations depicting the story that this event is based on.

A long time ago, an Indian from a hill area not very far actually from the border with the US had a dream wherein The Virgin told him to go to the Catholic officials in Mexico City and tell them to build a cathedral there in her honor. The Indian goes but is scoffed at and sent back into the hills.

He has the dream again and this time tells The Virgin that he cannot do it because noone will believe him. She replies in essence, go again, they will build it. He returns to the city and the officials and just as he is beginning to tell them of the second dream rose petals begin to fall out of his clothing. Everyone is astounded because, at this time, there were no roses in the country of Mexico. The cathedral was built.

The catholic churches of the Coachella Valley all have large celebrations of this day as do the churches throughout Mexico. This particular church in Mecca is called El Sancturario de La Virgine de Guadalupe, the sactuary of the virgin of guadalupe, Mary, so their's is the biggest celebration of this kind in the region.

The dancers represent the pagans that were convinced to change their ways.

The crowd inside and outside the church was - this in no exaggeration - just like a subway at rush hour.

The little boys, dressed like old men and carrying canes, are part of dancing in the style of the hill tribe of indians - some live in the area and do not even speak Spanish. This dancing went on for well over an hour with dancers moving up and down the aisles and along the sides.