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San Juan Bautista witnessed the revival on Nov. 1 of a long-neglected tradition: a procession from the Mission to the town’s cemetery led by Father Alberto Cabrera, and the debut of a new annual event, a Dia de los Muertos-themed Celebración de Vida.
Cabrera also performed a blessing of the Indigenous people buried in the Mission Cemetery, echoing the Mass of Reconciliation offered in 2012 by Bishop Richard Garcia of the Monterey Diocese.
Blessing of the Mission San Juan Bautista Cemetery by Father Alberto Cabrera. Photo by Robert Eliason. 
The procession led by Father Alberto Cabrera. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Father Alberto Cabrera. Photo by Adam Bell. 
The procession led by Father Alberto Cabrera. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Mariachi Alma de Mexico. Photo by Adam Bell. 
The procession entering the San Juan Cemetery. Photo by Adam Bell. 
The Altar at the San Juan Cemetery. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Father Alberto Cabrera blessing the San Juan Cemetery. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Calavera children at the San Juan Cemetery. Photo by Adam Bell. 
La Banda Calavera in the return procession. Photo by Adam Bell. 
The return procession. Photo by Adam Bell.
Toward the end of Mass at around 6 p.m., Cabrera gave the blessing at the entry to the cemetery, which holds the remains of thousands of Indigenous people. “Today we gather among these sacred resting places to honor the memory of our beloved dead, and especially of the native sons and daughters of this land—the Ohlone, Mutsun, and all Indigenous peoples who walked these valleys and served with faith and dignity in the Mission of San Juan Bautista,” he said.
Following the blessing, Cabrera led the congregation and other celebrants through town to the San Juan Bautista Cemetery, accompanied by Mariachi Alma de Mexico. Upon arrival, he offered another blessing before hundreds of people who had accompanied him on the journey.
“I think it’s a very beautiful opportunity to revive the faith,” Cabrera said. “There is a history of people who have left this tradition for us, and I think they should be remembered, especially those who have made the effort of leaving this beautiful mission for all of us to enjoy.”
The procession then led participants back through town to the Celebración de Vida stage at Washington and Second Streets, accompanied by Castroville’s Banda Vanidosa performing as El Teatro Campesino’s “La Banda Calavera.”
Before the blessing and procession, performances took place on stage by Mariachi Alma de Mexico, Estrellas de Esperanza, Baile Folklorico Juvenil, and Soles de Mexico, which began at 3 p.m.
Following the procession, El Teatro Campesino presented the story of Adam and Eve, followed by a dance performance by Esperanza Del Valle.
Baile Folklorico Juvenil. Photo by Robert Eliason. 
Baile Folklorico Juvenil. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Baile Folklorico Juvenil. Photo by Robert Eliason. 
Estrellas de Esperanza with photos of the departed. Photo by Robert Eliason. 
Estrellas de Esperanza. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Teatro founder Luis Valdez. Photo by Robert Eliason. 
The Devil. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Eve and Adam. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Adam, Eve and the Devil. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Katrina. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Esperanza del Valle. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Esperanza del Valle. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Esperanza del Valle. Photo by Adam Bell. 
La Banda Calavera. Photo by Adam Bell. 
La Banda Calavera. Photo by Adam Bell.
The event was conceived and organized by San Juan Bautista Planning Commissioner Dan DeVries, who secured the cooperation of the mission, El Teatro Campesino, the San Juan Bautista State Park and the city of San Juan, as well as all the performers.
“The idea was to get the community engaged and come together,” DeVries said, “to celebrate and pause for a moment and remember those who have gone before us. The spirituality and the meaning are really incredible, and it’s an energy that’s needed right now.”
Text of Cabrera’s blessing at the Mission Cemetery
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Resurrection and the Life. You sanctified the tomb by resting within it, and by Your glorious rising You opened for us the gates of heaven.
Today we gather among these sacred resting places to honor the memory of our beloved dead, and especially of the native sons and daughters of this land—the Ohlone, Mutsun, and all Indigenous peoples who walked these valleys and served with faith and dignity in the Mission of San Juan Bautista.
Que tu mirada misericordiosa descanse sobre ellos. Perdona sus faltas, recompensa sus trabajos, y acógelos en la luz de tu Reino eterno. Concede que estas tumbas sean signos de esperanza y resurrección, no de pérdida, sino de la gloria prometida.
(Translation: May your merciful gaze rest upon them. Forgive their sins, reward their labors, and welcome them into the light of your eternal Kingdom. Grant that these tombs may be signs of hope and resurrection, not of loss, but of the promised glory.)
Bless these grounds, O Lord, that they may be gardens of peace until the day of Your coming. May the souls who rest here, purified by Your grace, share forever in the joy of the saints and the vision of Your face.
Por la intercesión de la Santísima Virgen María, Madre de los Dolores y Reina del Cielo, de San Juan Bautista, y de todos los ángeles y santos, que este lugar sagrado se llene de la paz de Cristo y de la promesa de la vida eterna.
(Translation: Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Sorrows and Queen of Heaven, of Saint John the Baptist, and of all the angels and saints, may this sacred place be filled with the peace of Christ and the promise of eternal life.)
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