Matachin Espiri Velázquez never thought he would participate in the Immaculate Heart of Mary church dance troupe, but 17 years ago, he became deeply involved in his faith.
Velázquez joined the matachines, or dance troupe, after his family suggested.
“Never in my life did I think I would be doing this,” Velazquez said in Spanish. “In fact, I am exhausted right now, but once I hear the drums, I feel it in my heart and it gives me the strength to keep going.”
Dancer Carlos Soto is dressed in his matachin, or member of a dance troupe, attire on Dec. 12 at La Gran Plaza’s Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Espiri Velázquez dances on Dec. 12 at La Gran Plaza’s Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. Velazquez has been a matachin, or dancer, for 17 years. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Ricardo Alarcon, the founder of Grupo Pakal, leads the pilgrimage on Dec. 12 at La Gran Plaza’s Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Matachines, or members of a dance troupe, make their way to the main stage on Dec. 12 at La Gran Plaza’s Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Ricardo Alarcon kneels in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary on Dec. 12 at La Gran Plaza’s Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Matachin Carlos Soto shakes an instrument on Dec. 12 at La Gran Plaza’s Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. Soto wears traditional indigenous dance troup attire. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Led by Ricardo Alarcon, the matachines, or members of a dance troupe, arrive at the main stage on Dec. 12 at La Gran Plaza’s Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Ricardo Alarcon poses with a Mexican flag depicting the Virgin Mary on Dec. 12 at La Gran Plaza’s Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Matachines, or members of a dance troupe, wear shells on their ankles to make a distinct sound while performing on Dec. 12 at La Gran Plaza’s Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)
La Gran Plaza hosted its celebration of the conclusion of the Our Lady of Guadalupe novenario, or nine-day prayer to the Virgin Mary, tradition — a tradition that is deeply rooted in Mexican culture.
Dec. 12 marks the day the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to a Chichimec peasant and now-saint San Juan Diego in 1531. The nine-day tradition commenced on Dec. 4 and the final day is celebrated with food, music, dancing and prayer.
Hoy concluye la Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe y los matachines de la Iglesia Inmaculado Corazón de Maria lo celebran en La Gran Plaza.
— Cristian (@CrisArguetaSoto) December 12, 2022
La tradición celebra la aparición de la Virgen a San Juan Diego en el año 1531. pic.twitter.com/nYIlNYHKW8
Velázquez danced for nine days at his church, Immaculate Heart of Mary, which hosts the novenario, or nine-day prayer tradition. The church also hosted its celebration at 4 a.m. Dec. 12 and performed Las Mañanitas, a Spanish song about loved ones on their birthday or their name day or saints’ day.
“Singing and the sound of the drum makes your heart pump,” Velázquez said in Spanish. “After nine days, we’re all exhausted, but every individual’s faith births fervor.”
Cristian ArguetaSoto is the community engagement journalist at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him by email or via Twitter. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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