Latino Celebrations

Our Vibrant Latino Community

Ascension’s rich diversity comes with many wonderful celebrations to mark holidays and feast days. The biggest is Our Lady of Guadalupe feast day, celebrated on Dec. 12. The festivities begin before sunrise with Las Mañanitas and continue throughout the day with vigils, prayers and masses.

Other Traditions

Las Posadas commemorate the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth to the baby Jesus. The Posadas are celebrated on the nine evenings leading up to Christmas Day with songs, reenactments, food and pinatas.  All are welcome to attend and share in the tradition.

Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos is celebrated from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. In the Mexican tradition, family and friends gather to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. They believe this helps support their spiritual journeys.  The custom was depicted in the recent animated film “Coco.” Photos of beloved family members and friends are placed on the Day of the Dead altar, which is set up in church.