Greater Bolivian Celebrations 2010 in Dallas
By Graciela J. Ayllon & Marco A. Ayllon Bueno
Nautilus Dallas City Events News
July 21, 2010
The Ceremony:Copacabana Virgin will wear military garments for the event:
Ms. Darlene C. Gutiérrez “Greater Pasante” will organize a Mass of Honor and Honor Social Gathering Celebrating Bolivian Copacabana Virgin in the Metroplex.
Commemorating Bolivian Independence from the Spaniards which was on August 6 of 1825; the Bolivian society in North Texas, devotee, ex- and future Greater Pasantes, celebrate and thank every year to the Virgin of Copacabana with a Rosary Novena, Honor Mass, and a Formal Social Gathering. This event is called “Greater Preste;” this year will act as Greater Pasante and Organizer Ms. Darlene Cinthia Gutiérrez and her two loved daughters Katrina and Melissa.
Ms. Darlene C. Gutiérrez is the Greater Pasante for 2010. She is a member of the Bolivian community in Dallas TX, she is well-known active resident by more than 20 years. She resides in Rowlett. In 2009 she was a president of The Bolivian Ladies of the Metroplex. Darlene worked for many years in the area of semiconductor production manufacturers and circuit boards. At the moment she is a business owner. She is a splendid mom and involved with the disadvantaged in Dallas.
Another important aspect about these celebrations Darlene mentioned us that this year will participate to her devotee a Protocol of Change of Dress to the Virgin. For this event, the Virgin will be dressed in a dress of green olive and golden color accessories, with an elegant Bolivian armed forces theme with her veil of silk. It will have gold and silk thread embroidering.
The Event:
The Saint Mass will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday August 7, 2010 in the S.J. Mark Catholic Church located at: 1201 Alma Dr. Plano, TX 75075. There, an unusual catholic activity will be lived. With solemnity and respect, the devotee will approach the image to polish it and to dress it in their new suit ordered specially by the Greater Pasante. Passed the religious act their guests will enjoy the Honor Celebration in the halls of Holiday Inn Express Hotel located at: 700 Central East Pkwy. Plano, 75074.
This annual event is one of most important in the festivities for the Copacabana Virgin in Dallas and traditionally the devotee read a previous Rosary Novena by 9 weeks and 9 Fridays. Each Friday a rosary needs to be finished and later they share ideas, enjoy pies, traditional Bolivian dishes and their ecstasy. Darlene assured to us that the Copacabana Virgin is very miraculous, and the event is denominated “the Bolivians Celebration in Dallas.”
Darlene C. Gutiérrez, is the Greater Pasante 2010 at these Bolivian festivities. She told Nautilus Dallas City Events News that she felt moved venerating the Virgin image. She said: “the Change of Clothes Ceremony will give a different sensation for the Virgin celebrations. Where we began adorning by body spraying the Virgin with aromatic perfumes, they will put some creams to her and later they will proceed to dress her with care.” She also stated that: “this work is essentially an act of a good deal of faith that is made in family.”
Clothing Details:
The author of the stylish “The Virgin of the Lake” dress informed to Nautilus News that worked her garments with the best quality materials. He said that this year they used threads brought from Bolivia, by which the suit is quite fine and with many details.
“In Bolivia the Copacabana Virgin is the police guardian. “And I would like to give that stylish defense forces look”, said Darlene. As it is tradition for these events, the color of the Virgin outfit depends on the Greater Pasante. “This year we have chosen the Green one, that is resembled Olives, and it is elaborated in velvet fabric”. According to the data of the Virgin of Copacabana in Dallas, she has more than 10 suits donated.
Preste Celebration Details:
Darlene C. Gutierrez assured that the organization for the Mass and Celebration in her Honor of the Virgin is already coordinated: “As much for the Mass and as for the Hotel Reception Darlene it carried out an arduous work of more of a year of preparation.” She said: “I feel thanked for to the Virgin and the community of Dallas.” Darlene assured: “we contracted two famous orchestras in the Metroplex that will alternate in their presentations, in addition a well-known DJ will participate among them; we hope to have a successfully celebrations”.
Presentation of Bolivian Typical Dances:
To increase awareness about traditional Bolivian dances, for the Gala Social Gathering and delight for the media and guests there will be a presentation of Bolivian Typical Dances such as: Cueca, Saya, and Chacarera.
About the Menu:
The guests will be delighted with traditional a Vinesh Salteña Hour, followed by its three Main Course Dinner Prepared by Mr. Cesar Orellana by `Orellanas Catering.' “My Cocina Restaurant” will prepare its signature Dilemmas, Mambo Limousine cocktails. Each table will have a floral decoration in addition to a whisky Johnnie Walker Black Label, a Singani Rugero, and a tequila Patron.
Celebrations of the Virgin in Dallas:
The celebration is annual and in the month of August for the Copacabana Virgin in Dallas, it began in 1985 with the family of Mr. Marcelo Morales Guzman who brought the custom and a Virgin from Bolivia. Up to date already celebrated as Greater Pasantes more than 10 Families in Dallas. This celebration is united to those of the Bolivian Society Association in Dallas TX having commemorating the celebration of Bolivia independence.
Origin of the Virgin of Copacabana in Bolivia:
The peninsula of Copacabana is located by Titicaca lake, approaching the islands of the Sun and the Moon, old sacred places of the Incas. There, more than four thousand eight meters above the level of the sea. In this area the Mother of God wanted to approach her children thus to attract them the true God. It made with the greater gentleness and respect. It did it with the love of Mother whom it looks for its smaller children. Its face has indigenous characteristics and is tender love with its Boy in arms, who seems to fall but not. The Mother maintains her child safe. The Boy is the great gift that the mother flatters. Thus the cult to the “Virgin Santísima from the Candlelarias, Our Mrs. of Copacabana" arises.
It is a sculpture of little more than four feet modeled entirely of maguey wood and finished in stucco. The body of the image totally is laminated in fine gold. Her clothes are colorful adorning a princess reproduced by the Inca. Its original form permanently remains covered by beautiful mantles and suits. Her hair is long up to her shoulders.
Tito Yupanqui was the carver and artist thought by Franciscans, descendant of Inca Huayna Capac. He was a clumsy sculptor and although it put much persistence in his work, he was a persistent learner. His first attempts were rejected one after another one, until finally God compensated to him with being able to obtain this image of the Virgin who humbly was enthroned in one poor church of blocks and stones the February 2 of 1583, which does of this Mariano sanctuary one of Américas oldest churches.
1805 the image and the present temple data was crowned during the Pío XI pontificado. With the passage of time the people donated, for adornment of the image, great amount of valuable jewels and the temple filled up of gifts and treasures. Wealth that later was sacked by generals, presidents and dictators of turn. In spite of it, “Coyeta”, as they call Quechuas and the Aymaras. The virgin wears from her neck, in the hands and her chest, rich jewels and from her ears hang valuable precious stone pendants donated by their devotee ones. In her right hand she holds a small basket and a command baton, gift and memory of the visit that in 1669 did the Peruvian Virrey.
The original image never leaves its sanctuary and for the processions a copy of the same one is used.
He is typical of the sanctuary, basilica from 1949, which those that visits it leave the temple walking backwards, with the intention of not giving the back to its dear Copacabana Virgin.
Virgin celebration originally was celebrated the February 2, day of the Purification of Maria, and soon it has been transferred to August 5, with her own liturgy and great popular celebration.
