To Edgar Vera, celebrating Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe or it’s the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a reminder of his homeland.
It’s a span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”It is what makes me happy to be able to experience a bit of Mexican culture at Juneau,” he said. “We’re so far from Mexico that it’s truly special to get some taste of home. .”
The following Sunday, the man was seated in the church’s long wooden pews with over 100 others at St. Paul Catholic Church. The tempo of live music resonated from the ceilings high and it played in a sporadic fashion while the priest conducted Mass on Spanish. A saint’s portrait stood in the entryway.
Vera relocated from Mexico City to Juneau after a trip to Mexico City with his family seven years ago. He is now a senior at Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kale and captain of the cross country team. Every year, on December. 12 his family celebrates the day celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico.
It is believed that the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the most celebrated national day in Mexico. It is a celebration of the day that Catholics believe that the Virgin Mary was present in front of Juan Diego, a Mexican farmer and peasant, in 1531. People who are of Mexican origin often consider the icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe as a symbol of their religious devotion.
In the past year, more than three million people from Mexico went on a pilgrimage to the church dedicated to saints. In Juneau this year, Hispanic and non-Hispanic residents gathered to gather to St. Paul Catholic Church to pay tribute to her.
The Juneau celebration took place two days prior to the actual day of celebration so that more people could participate. There was an Spanish service, a drama that told the tale of Juan Diego’s first meeting and a feast of Mexican food staples.
The Juneau Hispanic Ministry organized the event. The group encourages visitors to explore Hispanic customs and culture. Delores Cervantes, who coordinates the group, relocated into Juneau from Mexico in the year 1995. The festival draws more people not just members of that particular Hispanic group, but also from all ethnic groups.
Its style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”It’s vital because it represents my cultural identity as well as connects the community,” she said. “Our aim is to get more people participating and more attendees at our celebration regardless of whether you’re or are Hispanic, Native – we want all of them to be part of this celebration.” .”
Since moving to Juneau about thirty years ago she’s said she’s noticed a change from the population who move to Mexico and moving to Juneau. U.S. Census data shows that Juneau’s Hispanic population has more than doubled over the last 20 years.
Cervantes stated that now, instead of people traveling alone to look for work they’re beginning to bring their entire families along.
Alex Vargas did just that. He relocated into Juneau in 2014, along with the wife of his life and 5 children. He’s the music director for Sunday’s Spanish mass. He says the move from Juneau was a huge move, but one that is one he’s glad he took.
It’s a span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”I was able to get used to it very quickly. I love the natural beauty I love the area I love the climate,” he said. “In Mexico it’s so warm Here is more suitable for me. .”
He added that the chance to celebrate his heritage with his children is essential to help them remember the place they came from. He’s excited to see what next year’s celebration will bring and hopes that more people participate.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”It’s expanding the culture and the population from Mexico are growing at Juneau,” he said. “We’re happy that more people attended the church and celebrated this significant event for us. .”
