Tuesday's Torch Story

To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak.

~ Hopi Indian Saying

We went with Ana this weekend to her church's celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's Virgin Mary. It was a wonderful afternoon that started with beautifully costumed ancient Mexican music and dance.




They played drums, a wooden flute, and blew notes through some kind of seashell!




Even the children participated, playing maracas.





Next up was a reenactment of the story of Juan Diego and the Virgin of Guadalupe. Juan Diego was a peasant, and the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to him in a vision and asked that a church be built in her honor.




Unfortunately, the Bishop did not believe that the Virgin Mary had appeared to a lowly peasant, and demanded proof. (Or else, he threatened, he would speed away in his Dodge Ram pickup truck - seen parked just behind his desk. The environment was not ideal for picture taking...)




When Juan Diego asked the Virgin of Guadalupe to provide him with evidence, she directed him to a group of blooming flowers, even though this took place during the dead of winter.




Juan Diego collected up the flowers in his shirt and took them to show the Bishop and his monks.




Lo and behold, when he opened his shirt to show the flowers, the image of the Virgin Mary had been imprinted on his shirt.




Then everyone believed, apologized for doubting Juan Diego, and built the church where the fabric with the Virgin's image was displayed.


After the play, there was more dancing - this time a more modern dance, that reminded me of American square dancing.




My favorites were the youngest dancers - who clearly had a blast!




Being friends with Ana yielded some privileges - such as the right to pose for a picture with Juan Diego!



Scott got to try on some traditional Mexican clothes.




And what party would be complete without a pinata?




It was a great afternoon!