Guadalupe Procession
  • FitReverentia
    Posts: 3
    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: 148
    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.

  • tylerjpimm
    Posts: 3
    Not what you asked, but I would just sing La Guadalupana and Paloma Blanca at the procession so you can insist on singing the appointed texts for Mass. These are devotional hymns that should not replace the proper of the Mass but are perfectly appropriate for a procession.

    If that’s not a battle you’re fighting, I still wouldn’t leave La Guadalupana out of the procession. It’s good and proper (dare I say reverent) music to many…
  • TLMlover
    Posts: 148
    I agree with Tyler. Another popular hymn is Adios Reina del Cielo. Also in 3/4 time, like Paloma Blanca. As Tyler said, these hymns are proper for many attending the feast.
  • FitReverentia
    Posts: 3
    I appreciate this feedback, this is great.

    We do not have a very large hispanic/Mexican population in our parish. This year may be different but in the past we haven't even had a sung Mass for her feast because of everyone working. Typically the preference (by the community) has been to have a relatively simple procession before Sunday Mass on whatever the closest Sunday to the 12th is. So mercifully I'm not having to fight any culture battles around music for Mass. I've even sung for a couple of Quinceañera Masses, and only after I triple checked with moms that they were okay with me just singing Spanish Simple Propers (not TM, solo cantor acapella)

    Generally my goal here is to reasonably break past my comfort zone and try to provide live music this year instead of leaving it to the bluetooth speaker, while also taking into account that I cannot expect anyone to sing with me and I will have to make sure it sounds half decent with just me singing it acapella. I will try to give La Guadalupana a go, and I had not heard of these others before so I will look into them as well. Thank you!
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