Guadalupe Procession
  • FitReverentia
    Posts: 2
    I know this is far in advance but I wanted to ask while I was still thinking about it. The past several times that my (small) parish has offered a Guadalupe procession, someone in the hispanic community gets out their bluetooth speaker and blasts "La Guadalupana." I have always wanted to offer live singing for the procession, but other than La Guadalupana I don't know any other songs traditionally sung specifically for Our Lady of Guadalupe. And while La Guadalupana has a particular importance and common recognition in Mexico, especially done with full Mariachi complement, I can't help but feel like I'm singing a version of B.I.N.G.O.

    My personal defects aside, does anyone know other more reverent songs, primarily en español, that are fitting for a Guadalupe procession?
  • TLMlover
    Posts: 146
    Almost all of the traditional hymns to O.L. of Guadalupe will be rancheras. So usually 3/4 time, very simple melodies, very repetitive, easy for the people to sing, easy to walk and sing in procession.

    The hymn La Guadalupana actually tells the story of St. Juan Diego and the tilma, which is why it is included in the music for the feast. I wouldn't leave it out or you will have some very disappointed people there. If anyone in the parish speaks Nahuatl (the language of St. Juan Diego), there is a lovely folk hymn to O.L. of Guadalupe which you might consider. I can get the lyrics and music if you are interested.

    Buenos Días, Paloma Blanca is also a traditional hymn to O.L. of Guadalupe, and works well a capella. You could also add Salve Regina, which I think would blend in nicely and is easily sung a capella while processing.

    It's a difficult feast, to be honest. The Mexican patriotic aspect of the feast cannot be supressed, and many people will attend a Mass for O.L. of Guadalupe who never atttend Mass otherwise. (Kinda like Christmas and Easter.)

    In a former parish where I directed the hispanic music for 15 years, Father had to take away all the social aspects of the feast (las mañanitas at 5am, and the huge dinner after the evening Mass), because it just got out of control and it was more social than religious.

    Anyway, just my two cents.

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