Photos by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ.com ©2019
FLAGSTAFF — Once again the sweet sounds of mariachi music filled Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Flagstaff when Mariachi Sol Azteca from Tucson returned on June 30, 2019.
Presented by Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, Mariachi Sol Azteca performed the Summer Mariachi Mass as the traditional follow-up event to the annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklorico Festival held on June 29 at the church.
The Summer Tardeada and the Summer Mariachi Mass returned after a one-year break.
More than a hundred of the faithful filled the pews to listen to the group perform a variety of religious songs during the Mass.
A menudo fundraising breakfast was then held downstairs at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Cultural Center.
The event was part of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces’ efforts to bring back traditional Hispanic cultural events to the region.
Those efforts include a Mariachi Mass performed during the summer at either San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church or Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church; a December Mariachi Mass in honor the the Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe performed at the churches, which also include the lighting of luminarias.