This exceptional day is a world-renowned tradition celebrating the annual return of the famous swallows to Capistrano. This tradition was started by Father O’Sullivan in the 1920s at Mission San Juan Capistrano, a historic California landmark and home of the swallows, and happens each year on March 19th. Yes, on Day #19 we celebrated St. Joseph's Day... a first for us.
Mission San Juan Capistrano, historic landmark and museum, is the Birthplace of Orange County. It was founded 240 years ago as the 7th of 21 missions statewide and features a chapel still standing where Father Junipero Serra once celebrated Mass. Today, it is a monument to California’s multi-cultural history, embracing its Native American, Spanish, Mexican and European heritage. Originally built as a self-sufficient community by Spanish Padres and Native Americans, the Mission was a center for agriculture, industry, education and religion.
To explore the grounds, rich in history and beauty, was a perfect way to spend our morning. There was a great deal to learn/see/experience.
Almost hidden was this plaque which reads, "On the morning of December 8, 1812, during the holy Mass of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, an earthquake struck and destroyed this church, just six years after it was completed (c. 1806). The Church Ruins stand today as a living memorial to the lives of the Acjachemen people, the builders of this Mission. Through this marker, we remember their sacrifices and toll the bells annually on December 8th."
Fr. Serra's church was spectacular. It has the distinction of being the only church still standing in California in which he officiated.
The altar is early Franciscan Baroque of the 17th or 18th century, carved of cherry wood and having come from Barcelona. Gorgeous.
We strolled through the seemingly empty Historic Mission Cemetery which served as burial land for the local baptized Catholics. The first burial was recorded in 1781, and it is believed that over 3,000 people were buried here. Interments ended in 1850 and were relocated to land east of this Mission. Only three graves remain. Monsignor O'Sullivan installed this cross monument as a memorial to the indigenous people who built this Mission.
This black granite marker memorialized the Spanish soldier, José Antonio Yorba, who helped establish the California missions.
Monsignor St. John O'Sullivan was interred here in 1934. During his 23-year tenure he did so much for the Mission including directing its restoration.
In 1917, Monsignor O'Sullivan constructed a wall to surround the Mission, protecting it from further damage. He is viewed as one of the greatest proponents of preservation ushering in a new era for the landmark.
I loved this. On the wall below this hole in the ceiling was a sign which told us to look up. Investigating Architecture: The sycamore beams and strips of reed that you see above are original materials used to construct this building in the late 1780s. To maintain a comfortable temperature, builders added an insulating layer of adobe mud and plaster over the reeds.
In the 1990s, building conservators stabilized the ceiling with metal bars for earthquake safety, and left the ceiling exposed to show the original roofing materials and building methods.
Mission San Juan Capistrano’s oldest tradition is the ringing of the historic bells. This tradition is performed by a chosen few. The official bell ringer positions have only been occupied by a handful of men, since the late 1800s. One special ringer was Paul Arbiso (1895-1994), who rang the bells on all occasions for 42 years. St. Joseph's Day (Swallows Day), March 19, was one of the most important. Paul was wounded in France during WW I. He was the City Patriarch for 21 years. A loving husband, father and grandfather. a ranch hand, soldier and Mission gardener. A gentle humble man who was friendly to all.
Four bells were originally cast for Mission San Juan Capistrano, and each is named after a Saint (from largest to smallest these names are San Vincente, San Juan, San Antonio, and San Rafael). With the earthquake of 1812 and the collapse of the bell tower, they were relocated to a bell wall, or Campanario. However, the two largest bells, having sustained major damage in the towers collapse, would never ring the same way again. Today, the original two largest bells (San Vicente and San Juan) hang in the footprint of the bell tower of the ruins of the Great Stone Church where they once were. On the Bell Wall are two replica large bells, and the original two small bells which are still rung today.
Food, especially bread (in shapes), is often part of the traditional St. Joseph's Day celebration. It goes back to the legend that Sicilians prayed to St. Joseph for rain to save them from starvation during a drought in the Middle Ages when they basically existed on fava beans.
The festival, itself was culturally diverse and very interesting. This historic celebration is full of tradition, community, and festivity, marking the return of the famous swallows to Capistrano and the coming of spring – a time of renewal and rebirth. While not one swallow was to be seen, the music, dancing, history, and beauty of the Mission, made the day a success.
If you want just a sample of the sounds of our day, listen to When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano performed by recording artist, Renee Bondi, accompanied by the very talented Mariachi Tapatio de Los Angeles. The song, written by Leon René, was first recorded by The Ink Spots in May 1940 (it reached No. 4 on the US charts).
𝅘𝅥𝅮When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day you promised to come back to me
When you whispered, "Farewell", in Capistrano
Twas the day the swallow flew out to sea
All the mission bells will ring
The chapel choir will sing
The happiness you'll bring
Will live in my memory
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me𝅘𝅥𝅮
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