Thousands in New Mexico give thanks to the Virgen de Guadalupe

from the Las Cruces Sun-News

St. Genevieve's Church was our parish when we lived in Las Cruces, NM

Thousands embarked from Tortugas on a mountain pilgrimage Saturday morning to give thanks to the Virgen de Guadalupe in one of the region's oldest continuing traditions, which includes religious ceremonies, feasting and traditional dancing during Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta.

As many as 5,000 participated in the pilgrimage and celebrated the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Indian San Juan Diego during Masses, feasting and dancing on Saturday, said event organizers.

Two regional groups celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe during the three-day fiesta, which continues today. The largest celebration is centered around Tortugas Pueblo and another is based at St. Genevieve's Church in downtown Las Cruces.

Thousands of area residents and visitors from throughout the country began the annual pilgrimage up "A" Mountain before daybreak Saturday, and worshipers continue to make the journey throughout the day to pay their respects to the Virgen de Guadalupe, the patron saint of the village of Tortugas, on the mountaintop. Today is the saint's feast day.

The majority of pilgrims made the approximately four-mile journey from Tortugas to the altar on the mountain before an 11 a.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Ricardo Ramirez.

Held for more than a century, this year's celebration holds a special significance for Tortugas residents as it marks the 100th year since the pueblo moved the fiesta to the village.

"The celebration is so important to the people of the village," said Felipe Nevarez of Tortugas. "Throughout the year, people pray to the virgin and ask her for assistance. Today, we made the pilgrimage to show thanks and to follow through on our promises to her."

From infants to returning pilgrims "who have made the annual voyage for more than 50 years, it's a tradition that everyone takes part it," said Nevarez, who, at age 30, has walked to the top of "A" Mountain each year for 25 years. "My father brought me along on the pilgrimage since I was 5 years old," he said. "It's also about honoring our elders and ancestors who have made (the journey) for years and years."

Following in his father's footsteps, Nevarez rose before the sun Saturday morning to usher the Virgen de Guadalupe to the altar at the mountaintop. "It's a rewarding responsibility," he said. "Being a part of the (fiesta) is something I hope to continue to pass down to my children and future generations."

Eleven-year-old Nikki Martinez made the journey to the mountaintop for the first time Saturday morning. "I didn't get to go last year, and I really wanted to see what it was like up there," she said. "It was a tiring walk, but it was worth it. It was so cool up there."

Nikki's mother, Desiree Martinez of Tortugas, said, "The three-day celebration means so much to our community. It's an important tradition to (parishioners) of Our Lady of Guadalupe."

Desiree Martinez's husband, Danzante leader Donaciano Parra, has been performing traditional dances at the annual celebration "forever," she said. Donning a headdress and an embellished blue-and-yellow costume, Nikki took a quick break from dancing for the second year with Parra's group during Saturday afternoon's festivities.

"It's a family tradition," Desiree Martinez said of the dancing, which will continue today with performances throughout the village by Tortugas Pueblo dancers, the Danzantes and two Matachine groups: La Danza Azteca Chichimeca and La Danza Guadalupana.