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Published: June 13th 2009
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Tall Cathedrals
It is said you can tell what a society worships by the size of its buildings. Here the churches are taller than the banks. When was the last time you attended an life expanding event: the symphony, a play, a wedding, a graduation or some other gathering that really moved your heart?
(And no, Bob, Cal Football doesn’t count!)
I’m talking about an experience. Something that connected you to the other people around you. Something that had meaning in the grander scheme of things.
(No Bob, loathing Stanford does NOT count!)
As the ultimate extravert, I love to be with groups of people. It energizes me. Perhaps that’s why I love worship.
The energy of others, singing, praying, believing, hoping, exchanging the love of the universe....it’s my favorite thing to do.
In Antigua, I have found a whole city of people who share my feelings. Tradition still counts here. The tradition of the beautiful Mayan people combines with Catholic history to make a rich life.
The Mayan Celebrations
Mayan women refuse to give up their exquisitely hand-made traditional dress for high heels and make-up. Who can blame them?
They always look beautiful. These richly colored fabrics take forever to wear out. They don’t show dirt. They are generous, comfortable and practical. They don’t need dry cleaning. I’m
Just a model
I modeled traditional Mayan wedding clothes. I'm still single! in.
On a field trip to a Mayan textile museum, I gained a deeper understanding of why the traditional dress is so important. It is symbolic of the women’s place in her family and her society. I felt apart of the tradition when they used me to model the typical clothes.
Like me, a Mayan woman wears her heart on her sleeve. But more than that, she tells the world her personal history by her dress.
Each Mayan village has it’s own design. Blouses are enshrined with elaborate symbols of the people, a native bird, flower and flag that tell the tale of village life.
When a young woman marries, she is given the colors and clothing of her new husband’s family. Her mother-in-law makes her an apron and the first blanket to hold her baby. After that, she’ll have to make her own. Many Mayan women have a baby every year. Family is central to her life and her heart.
I relate to the Mayan woman. While my immediate family is now very small, it is central to my heart. You all are my family.
Catholic Bashes
Guatemalan Catholics cherish their feast days.
Miracle baby
If this one was really mine, it would be a miracle. They love a party. Especially when God is the guest of honor. Thursday was the celebration of “Corpus Christi” at the Central Cathedral in Central Park.
Catholics stop their activities and attend mass venerating the host. They don’t have to threaten their employers with religious discrimination to do it. Many businesses close and the all attend together.
For you heathens and non-Catholics, the host is the wafer for communion and the symbol of Christ’s body which he gladly left on earth to show us their is no death, that our spirits and love are eternal. (The theology is Catholicism according to Cynthia).
The mass is full of song and smoke. An old, blind Monsignor in a white hat droned on. His message was of God’s love. To me, he was right on.
After mass, and powerful explosions from the fireworks, the host is honored in a long procession through Antigua. Sacred plants and flowers are placed in the path. No one walks on it before the Monsignor to honor Christ’s presence. Banners of yellow and white line the streets. School children hold balloons and sweets. It is colorful, bright and festive. And Thursday morning.
Pot Posture
The Mayan women don't need to hold on. Of course, angels are everywhere.
Being a universal Christian, I attend Mass daily to improve my Spanish and my relationship with Christ. He sits beside me and whisper’s translations in my ear. It is always the same. “I love you”.
Then, on Sundays, I go to the evangelical church in town. They sing my favorite Christian songs in English and in Spanish and I raise my arms in praise and joy. The sermon is long because it is in Spanish and then in English. We all hear the same message. “I love you”.
Bus loads of American Christians walk the streets of Antigua. They come from all over on missionary projects. They build schools and houses. They help in orphanages and hospitals. They get on their knees and do the dirty work. In essence, they wash the feet of wanting Guatemalans. They are Christ’s love in action.
My heart fills each time I hear their stories and feel their love. They make me proud. Proud to be a Christian. Proud to be American.
Guatemala is unashamed of it’s love for tradition and God. The San Francisco Peninsula has fewer churches per capita than any place
Adorned Alter
Flowers and flags for the procession in America. Antigua has a Cathedral on almost every corner. I belong here.
I was talking to God last night. He said to tell you all, he is very fond of you.
Me, too.
Adios,
Cynthia
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John Harrison
non-member comment
Very moving
Great descriptions, Cynthia. Very personal. I feel like I've been there myself.