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El Tiradito, Tucson’s Sinner Shrine
December 12, 2016
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We had a houseguest over the weekend who was starting a long car journey to Michigan. I took her on a miniature guided tour of Tucson Saturday afternoon. We stopped at the venerable Arizona Inn, near home, to visit the Christmas tree, the croquet court, and the elegance that is the Inn. Next stop was the U of A Poetry Center. My guest was delighted at the chance to read for about 45 minutes in our fabulous environment dedicated strictly to poetry. She found some great poets, and so did I. From there we travelled to my favorite, often overlooked, art in the city, some forged metal window guards by Tom Bredlow , a Tucson blacksmith of great skill and artistry, that depict the desert animals. Bredlow is now a total recluse who continued a legacy of Raul Vasquez. Tom even purchased some of his tools when Raul passed away. He continued to hammer out super fine metal art that graces the city. These window guards are in the Barrio Viejo de Tucson, looking right at home.
forged metal by Tom Bredlow
forged metal by Tom Bredlow
forged metal by Tom Bredlow
Our final destination on the tour was El Tiradito. I had given her a couple of milagros carved from jet to make offering/wishes along her route. The tradition of wishing on this spot is deeply rooted in the history of Tucson. This popular shrine is in use since the 1870s. It stands on what was once part of El Camino Real, or royal road to Mexico City. Padre Kino himself was once walking on this exact location, giving it a connection to the Spanish conquest in the 1600’s. The legend surrounding the shrine is a story of a doomed love triangle and murdered lover who could not be buried in the Catholic cemetery due to his sinful final state. The murdered man was supposedly buried under the stoop of his lover’s house, where she built a shrine. Juan Oliveras is the only sinner to have his own place on the National Historical Register.
El Tiradito
El Tiradito
El Tiradito
Today is Virgin of Guadalupe Day, 12 December, the day Mexico celebrates the day of its patron saint. Before the Spanish conquest Mexico had a female deity protecting it. Tonantzin was on the job since prehistory as an Aztec goddess. Her history and tradition is preColombian. She is, and has been, the local female deity for centuries. Our friend went to Mesilla, New Mexico on her first stopover after leaving us. The nearby village of Tortugas is the site of one of the oldest Virgin of Guadalupe celebrations in this country. She is being fully initiated by our local Enchantment before heading north into the snow. Her mystical as well as her physical journey is now blessed by both Tonantzin and Juan Oliveras. Nice benediction.
Gloria and the Virgin of Guadalupe
May 23, 2013
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- Gloria in the chapel
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- Padre Kino
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- angelic
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- chapel by De Grazia
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- Gloria in the chapel
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- with iPhone
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- milagro
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- Virgin of Guadalupe
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- altar
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- sky
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- west windows
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- chapel
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- offerings on altar
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- wall mural
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- detail
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- chapel mural
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- mural
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- Gloria in mini chapel
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- Ted DeGrazia
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- paintings of the Virg
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- permanent collection
I met Gloria on the flight from Chicago to Tucson recently. I enjoyed her company and invited her to call me. She is visiting her son who works at the U of A during the week. She told me she was Catholic and that as a child she walked to mass by herself. She is now fed up with Vatican politics, and wants the Latin liturgy to return. I took her yesterday to see Ted DeGrazia’s chapel to the Virgin of Guadalupe. She had never seen milagros on altars before. Since I would not be caught dead or alive without some milagros on me, I gave her a tiny jet key from Venezuela to unlock her future. I have more at home, and she had no offering with her. I explained that our Virgin is pre Christian and that is all right. She is both Catholic and pre Christian, and we see no conflict with that. She had a good time with this altar and milagro business. She also enjoyed the art gallery. I always love to go up there, and am happy I had the chance to share it with someone who really found new meaning in an old practice through an ancient design left behind by a great artist.
Virgin of Guadalupe Day
December 12, 2012
New Mexico celebrates 12 Dec
The village of Tortugas near Las Cruces, NM takes the 12 December very seriously. The fiesta and pilgrimage to the Virgin of Guadalupe is the main event of the year in the town close to the border. The Piro and Tigua traditions are honored in this village.
Dances 12 Dec.
Procession
Virgin of Guadalupe Surfin Safari
December 11, 2012
mosaic on underpass
I was lucky enough to see the surfing virgin in person during her brief stay on an underpass in Encintas, CA. She was perfect there, just a few blocks from Moonlight Beach. She was removed and I think she went to LA to a collection. There was a great uproar to save the art work, but alas she was taken from the site. Tomorrow is the 12 Dec, Virgin of Guadalupe day. I know all her fans at the beach wish she still had a shrine they could see every day in Encinitas.
Surfing Virg
During the protest the Kook at Cardiff was dressed in her image to show solidarity. If you enjoy costuming and are not familiar with the Kook, you can check his calendar here.
Kook 2013
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