The people in the shadows often pray to the Virgin of Guadalupe. They pray to the brown Virgen because after all she is a mom, the one who cares, the one who loves them unconditionally and will intercede on their behalf with all the male deities in her family. The Virgen has brown skin, just like the people in the shadows. She has suffered, just as they suffer. And because she is a mother figure, they can talk to her just as they talk to their human mothers.
And she’ll listen, and do all she can for them, because she loves them that much.
During the time of the rosarios, the Virgen is taken from home to home. She stays for one night at each home, and the people in the shadows say a rosary to her. The next day, she’s taken to another home. Another rosary is said in her honor in the new home. And so it goes. In Phoenix, a lot of the homes the Virgen visits belong to people on the edge. The recession, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and the harshest laws in the nation against undocumented people have all taken their toll. But the Virgen loves the people in the shadows, and they love her, and sometimes honestly that’s all they need. Here is a picture of the Virgen at one of the homes in Phoenix. She stands on an altar outside a house trailer. The people inside don’t have money to buy food. But they give thanks to their Virgencita anyway.
La Virgencita in Phoenix -- Photo by Terry Greene Sterling
The feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe is December 12, and that is the last day of the rosario. As the feast day approaches, many of the people in the shadows take joy in the matachine dancers. You can read historical context of the matachines here. These dancers dance in gratitude to the Virgin of Guadalupe. And the dancers aren’t professionals, but the people in the shadows themselves.
Sometimes, they dance in the day. And sometimes, they dance in the night.
Matachine Dancers in Phoenix Photo by Terry Greene Sterling
On December 6, the matachine dancers assembled at the Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Phoenix. (This was a church built many years ago because Mexicans weren’t all that welcome in white Catholic churches. Hey, it’s Phoenix. What did you expect?) The matachine dancers danced all the way to the headquarters of the Diocese of Phoenix, where they were blessed by the bishop. I think this was about mile or so of dancing. I videotaped it on my iPhone, and made a movie out of it, which you will see below. It reminded me how privileged I am to write a book and tell the untold stories of the people in the shadows. For me, it is such an honor to write a book for a non-Spanish speaking audience, a book that conveys how undocumented immigrants live, love, sin, hope and pray. And one of the lessons I’ve come away with is this: You don’t need a lot of stuff to celebrate and give thanks. You just need to sing and dance.
So now, from the hidden worlds of the undocumented immigrant to you--an iPhone video.
Merry Christmas from Terry Greene Sterling. Merry Christmas! Sing! Dance! Be grateful!
#1 by walt on December 7, 2009 - 5:15 pm
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very cool
#2 by Allan on December 7, 2009 - 8:16 pm
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Perhaps a word from the bishop to support modern legislation for immigrants. If he can support political activities in New England, perhaps a bone for the flock would be in order. At least he could endorse the DREAM Act.
#3 by Claudia on December 7, 2009 - 10:49 pm
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Very interesting – thanks so much!
Feliz Navidad
#4 by Valeria Fernández on December 8, 2009 - 9:00 am
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Muy lindo! Feliz Navidad Terry!
#5 by Carmen Cornejo on December 8, 2009 - 9:10 am
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The devotion for the Virgen de Guadalupe always brings tears to my eyes. For the people her image is a balm to their bruised souls. That’s is why they keep looking for her even on tortillas, sliced bread and on trees.
I wish I could have the same faith.
Seeing the way people treat the undocumented in this country and specially in this State, have practically erased my faith. Christmas is a difficult task to overcome. I look with extreme cynicism The expressions of piety of the powerful.
The Diocese of Phoenix have not worked hard enough for the well being of the flock. They loved the display of faith during the Virgen’s celebration, yet they have not raised their voice about the raids, the mothers who give birth in shackles on Arpaio’s dungeons, the weeping children taken away for their parents….
The Diocese of Phoenix takes for granted their brown people because they are poor.
The Matachines and the celebrations are just a great photo op close to Christmas.
Thanks Terry for blogging about faith. Thanks for the steady hand video recording.
#6 by Bryan J. on December 8, 2009 - 10:33 am
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I remember visiting La Basilica de La Virgin de Guadalupe In Mexico City. It was a beautiful sight, with a picturesque view of Mex. City. If anyone gets the chance to visit Mexico City, be sure to visit it.
On another note, what is worse: to be poor in Mexico City, or to be less poor in Arizona, but subject to the looming threat of incarceration and deportation?
#7 by Janie on December 8, 2009 - 12:37 pm
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Very nice!! Merry Christmas GM!
#8 by Rob on December 8, 2009 - 5:15 pm
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It was an interesting Christmas parade (e.g., no Santa or traditional Christmas songs). Please consider adding the pagan origins of the “matachines” (i.e., the story of Montezuma and Cortés).
#9 by Terry Greene Sterling on December 9, 2009 - 9:06 am
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Thank you all for your comments. I really treasure them.
Rob, just to clear things up, I called the blog a “Christmas video” because the video was my Christmas gift to the visitors on this page, not because the parade was a Christmas parade.
And yep, you are right, Rob, I should have added some historical context to the actual blog. I moused around the e-world and added a link for context in the blog. Thanks for the suggestion.
#10 by Rubi on December 12, 2009 - 9:04 am
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An absolutely beautiful video of the dancers. I always love the Matachin! Thanks for your video and even more, thanks for your blog. Feliz Dia Doce!