Las Mañanitas: The Beautiful Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Alexis Dallara-Marsh reviews a bilingual book designed to help the whole family celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Las Mañanitas: The Beautiful Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe

By Ernesto Joel Vega Rosales and Jeanette Gonzalez Seneviratne 
Published by Loyola Press

When I was little, I used to go to the 900s section at the library and check out as many books as I could on different countries from around the world, to the point where my mother would tell me I could only be limited to five or so at a time. Meanwhile, my official first exposure to learning a foreign language wasn't until many years later, when I was in seventh grade. By that time, the neural connections in my brain had already formed, and I always had to work very hard to pick up new words and phrases in Spanish or any other second language. Ultimately I did try to maintain multilingualism into adulthood, both for the sake of myself and the many relationships I could form.

Las Mañanitas: more than a birthday serenade  

I was already familiar with the song "Las Mañanitas" as a traditional children's song which serenades one on the morning of his/her birthday.  I didn't realize that its origins are Mexican and that every year, on or before the eve of December 12th, mañanitas are sung particularly to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe. This includes special celebrations not only in Mexico but many Latin American countries.

In this lovely paperback book, Ernesto Joel Vega Rosales and Jeanette Gonzalez Seneviratne introduce us to so many facts I didn't know about this feast day, such as the novena also in preparation for Our Lady of Guadalupe's feast, including specific days dedicated to Indigenous Peoples of the Americas and Peoples of the World and ending with praying for Peace on Earth. At one time the authors highlight, "They knew he would be wise and humble, as both of you will become,” referring to Saint Juan Diego, but drawing the parallel to anyone blessed enough to be further familiarized with the story and traditions originating from Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of the Americas. 

A bilingual book for the whole family 

I am happy to see the text is bilingual so that there is opportunity for families to read either in English, Spanish, or each language simultaneously. Additionally helpful is that Dana Sanmar's illustrations are so welcoming and child-friendly, simple yet vibrant and radiant of the splendor that our Blessed Mother bestows on us. For my children today, my hope has always been to expose them to the beauty of the Spanish language from a younger age. Particularly with Spanish, there is so much use that comes out of familiarity with not just the vocabulary, but as Catholics, the rich, devout culture and traditions that have solidified so many of our faith foundations. I would highly recommend this text particularly to have available every Advent season emphasizing that Our Lady's legacy in the Americas remains strong and alive.  

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Copyright 2024 Alexis Dallara-Marsh
Images: Canva