The Cowboys and The Lady of Guadalupe

I was scheduled to work today, but business was a little slow so I found myself with the day off. I spent the first part of my day watching the Dallas Cowboys come from behind and beat the Detroit Lions. I viewed the game at the Fox and Hound Sports Bar and Grill near the Foothills Mall. The game was a squeaker, with Dallas lucky to pull it out at the end with a touchdown from Tony Romo to Jason Witten with 18 seconds remaining. Dallas clinched the Eastern Division Championship and a first-round playoff bye.

After the game I had time to make it for the last two hours of the La Fiesta de Guadalupe on the grounds of the adobe gallery and chapel built by foremost Southwestern painter, the late Ted De Grazia. DeGrazia's Gallery in the Sun was host to spirited outdoor performances by mariachi groups, folklorico dancers, traditional Yaqui deer dances, ethnic foods, La Posada procession, and arts and crafts. The Fiesta celebrates the Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint.

I stayed until the last remaining event, which was a "las posadas procession" to the Mission of the Sun (the chapel built by DeGrazia) by students of the Carrillo Elementary Magnet School. "La Posadas," the remarkable buildup to Christmas Eve, is perhaps the most delightful and unique Mexican tradition.

The procession commemorates the events in the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Children carry a small pine-decorated platform bearing replicas of Joseph and Mary riding a burro. Other members of the company, all with lighted long slender candles, sing the "Litany of the Virgin" as they approach the door of the house assigned to the first "Posada." Together they chant an old traditional song and awaken the mast of the house to ask lodging for Mary. Those within the house threaten the company with beatings unless they move on. Again, the company pleads for admittance. When the owner of the house finally learns who his guests are, he jubilantly throws open the doors and bids them welcome. All kneel around the manger scene or "Nacimiento" and offer songs of welcome, Ave Marias and a prayer.

I took these photos of the children leading the "la posada procession" to the Mission of the Sun.


These children were among the dancing groups who performed throughout the day.