Wednesday, October 4, 2023 UTC

DEC 12: COMMEMORATION OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

As we approach the holiday season, please keep in mind that the annual Angel Tree will be set up in the back of the church. Pleae keep with the tradition that this tree has been our “giving tree” for many years and provides the opportunity to contribute money to benefit an orphanage in the Ukraine. Please take a “ornament” and provide a monetary gift as directed. 

On December 12th each year, we also celebrate the Feast of Our Lady (Theotokos) of Guadalupe. This day commemorates the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin in 1531 to St. Juan Diego on the hills of Tepeyac near Mexico City between Dec. 9 and Dec. 12, 1531. Mary, looking like a Mexican princess, appeared four times to the Juan Diego. She left her image on the simple peasant’s cloak that is still preserved in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Las Mañanitas, the Mexican Birthday Song, is typically sung at midnight or early morning and during Mass the day of the feast. It can be sung anytime during your celebration.

Lyrics and a translation of Las Mañantias:

Estas son las mañanitas,
que cantaba el Rey David,
Hoy por ser día de tu santo,
te las cantamos a ti,
Despierta, mi bien*, despierta,
mira que ya amaneció,
Ya los pajarillos cantan,
la luna ya se metió.
This is the morning song
that King David sang
Because today is your saint’s day
we’re singing it for you
Wake up, my dear*, wake up,
look it is already dawn
The birds are already singing
and the moon has set
Que linda está la mañana
en que vengo a saludarte,
Venimos todos con gusto
y placer a felicitarte,
Ya viene amaneciendo,
ya la luz del día nos dio,
Levántate de mañana,
mira que ya amaneció.
How lovely is the morning
in which I come to greet you
We all came here with joy
and pleasure to congratulate you
The morning is coming now,
the sun is giving us its light
Get up in the morning,
look it is already dawn

Often replaced with the name of the person who is being celebrated

Additional verses:

El día en que tu naciste
nacieron todas las flores
En la pila del bautismo,
cantaron los ruiseñores
The day you were born
all the flowers were born
On the baptismal font
the nightingales sang
Quisiera ser solecito
para entrar por tu ventana
y darte los buenos días
acostadita en tu cama
I would like to be the sunshine
to enter through your window
to wish you good morning
while you’re lying in your bed
Quisiera ser un San Juan,
quisiera ser un San Pedro
Para venirte a cantar
con la música del cielo
I would like to be a Saint John>
I would like to be a Saint Peter
To sing to you
with the music of heaven
De las estrellas del cielo
tengo que bajarte dos
una para saludarte
y otra para decirte adiós
Of the stars in the sky
I have to lower two for you
One with which to greet you
and the other to wish you goodbye
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