Sunday, August 31, 2008

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

LA FIESTA!

The dedication of the Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe in front of the Santuario de Guadalupe in Santa Fe sparked three days of celebration, dancing, praying and the unscripted passion that makes Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico such a magical place.





























Sunday, August 17, 2008

Rays of light

Immediately after the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe was unveiled, dramatic rays of sunshine pierced through the clouds that earlier had rained upon the faithful attending the ceremony.

It was a dramatic end to an incredible journey.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

THE DEDICATION: IN PICTURES

The crowded parking lot of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Santa Fe during the dedication Mass.

Mass for the dedication

Aztec dancers

Santa Fe Fiesta royalty

People watch the Mass.

Knights of Columbus

People sit atop the hill to get a vantage point of the Mass.

The crowd

The Mass

People listen to the dedication Mass.

The crowd included dignitaries, and members of the Fiesta royalty.

The image of Our Lady was worn by many in attendance.

The Santuario, in the background, during Mass.

Music

The commemorative poster

Archbishop Michael Sheehan blesses the sacraments during the Mass.

Umbrellas come out during a brief thunderstorm.

Red shoes on the commemorative bricks.

An Aztec dancer

An Aztec dancer blows his horn.

The traveling version of La Conquistadora

The artist "Gogy" Farías walks to the altar to be honored.

Maquettes are presented

Rain comes down

The sun comes out

The Aztec dancers lead the procession.

Girls throw rose petals for the procession.

The crowd heads to the top of the hill for the blessing.

The tarp is readied for removal.

The officials gather around the statue.

People ready for the unveiling.

The statue is unveiled.

The huge crowd gazes upon their new statue.

Rose petals are tossed in the air.

Incense to the statue

More rose petals

And more rose petals

The Archbishop and Monsignor Jerome Martinez y Alire bless the crowd.

A woman prays.


People place their hands upon the statue.

More hands upon the statue.

Matachine folk dancers perform in front of the statue.

A girl gets a view of the excitement from a stopped car traveling on Guadalupe Street.

A devout woman touches the statue.

Matachines perform

The sun sets and the party continues.

Drummers perform with the dancers.

The dancers perform

The statue us surrounded by rose petals.

A woman prays the rosary.

A family gets warm under a blanket.

Mariachis prepare to preform.

A dramatic New Mexico sky

People admire the statue.

Dusk at the unveiling party.

Musicians play the fiddle and guitars.

A matachine dancer

Dancing to the mariachis

The full moon rises behind the statue.