The Lady Of Guadalupe

Our Lady at Saint John Vianney's, Vashon, Washington.
Our Lady at Saint John Vianney’s, Vashon, Washington.

I was in Mexico in the early 1970’s, on a December 12th I first ran into her. Well, I ran into the celebration of her appearance which is pretty close to running into her. The enthusiasm that she inspires is over the top from what I observed.

Really don’t remember the small stuff but the rowdiness after dark was a thing of beauty. Lots of fireworks were flying around the town square lighting up the night. I was ducking stuff and amazed at the scene when the bull showed up. This was a metal contraption in the shape of a bull with four human legs propelling it around. The whole outside was packed with rockets and the bull would charge the crowds and cause general panic. As it ran around the square it would dodge into various buildings and rockets were coming out doors and windows. Wild and crazy all around.

The meaning of all this was sort of a mystery to me until much later when I learned more about Our Lady and the history of Mexico. Great stuff isn’t it? I think it wouldn’t hurt if we weren’t a little more enthusiastic about our beliefs around here. Enthusiastic love, Felipe.