Dulce Nombre feast day celebration

Friday, September 12, the parish of Dulce Nombre de María celebrated its feast day, the feast of the Holy Name of Mary.

It began at 4:00 am with a group serenading Mary at the church doors. I missed it, but I got up when the church bells rang about 4:05 am.

A few people came to pray the rosary in church, but the major event was to start at 8:30 am. 

gathered by the gas station

At about 9:15 am, the procession began at the gas station at the edge of Dulce Nombre. There were trucks with images of Mary from Dulce Nombre, Concepción, Dolores, Plan Grande, Candelaria, and San Agustín.

San Agustin float: Mary the pastorcita - the little shepherdess

The procession was led by a cross, followed by the parish marching band.

Yes the parish has a marching band. About sixteen months ago, a group from Santa Rosa came and started teaching a few young people how to play trumpets, trombones, saxophones, and clarinet, as well as various types of percussion. Instruments were also donated.

Despite the fact that the teachers stopped coming from Santa Rosa more than six months ago, the young people have continued practicing every Saturday. A young man who knows some music is helping them, though they could use some more training as well as some music for bands.

Their energy is contagious and it was great to see them leading the procession.

The procession arrived at the church for the Mass which began about 11 and finished a little after 12:30.

I was pleasantly surprised at how often Padre German spoke glowingly of the solidarity shown by the parish of St. Thomas Aquinas in Ames. As part of the offertory procession, two communion ministers brought forward a banner provided by the parish.

It was a good morning - celebrating the feast of the parish with a combination of popular piety, liturgy, and solidarity.

 For your listening enjoyment, here's a short video of the marching band

UPDATE: photos of the celebration can be found here.