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Monday, June 08, 2009
Old Town fills with revelers as San Felipe de Neri Church holds fiesta
By Aurelio Sanchez
Journal Staff Writer
You might think the 2009 San Felipe de Neri Church annual fiesta to honor a saint named Philíp Neri would be all about him.
And you'd be right, of course. Did you know, for example, that the Italian born Florentine became known as the "Confessor" who seemed to have the power to read your thoughts? (Best not to withhold anything in the confessional.)
Did you also know that Neri was known to have a heart so big, burning with so much spiritual love and zeal, that indeed, upon his death, his heart was found to be enlarged to the point that it had broken two of his ribs?
But as Old Town Plaza in front of San Felipe de Neri Church filled with revelers Sunday — some listening or dancing to Spanish music — while the robust aroma of freshly grilled chile cheeseburgers wafted in the air, spiked with the excited squeals of children on rides at the carnival, it became clear the fiesta is also about other things.
It's about God and faith to Socorro Gonzales and friend Aurora Baldonado, parish members who volunteered to work at the information booth.
"I love my church; there's a lot of faith here," said Gonzales, 85, who has been a parishioner since 1949 when she arrived in Albuquerque from Grants, where she was born and raised.
"I don't know too much about San Felipe, except that he was a saint that we honor with a feast day," she said.
As Old Town's leading tourist attraction, many believe the 216-year-old church is a museum rather than a living, breathing church, parishioner Bette Telles said.
"We are the second-oldest living parish in the country," she said. "We are the roots of Albuquerque, and our roots are as strong as an oak tree."
Diane Lopez, parishioner and youth group leader, said the church's vitality comes from the passing of faith and traditions from one generation to the next.
"The elderly pass faith down to their children, and then it's passed on from there to the grandchildren," she said. "That's why our church is so vital to this community."
Events started Friday. This is the 303rd year San Felipe de Neri Church in Old Town has held the fiesta.
Fiesta King Elias Vargas and Queen Mariah Padilla were resplendent in their regal robes and crowns, as they held court Sunday throughout the plaza.
They ascended to the crown by raising the most money for the parish through fundraising events such as bake sales and securing pledges.
"It's all about helping out the church," Vargas said.
"Mostly, it's about having fun, and we get to eat free," Padilla said. "Oh, and we get to talk to all the little boys and little girls who really look up to us."
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