KANSAS CITY, Mo. — People across the metro were celebrating Cinco De Mayo on Sunday. Cinco de Mayo—or the fifth of May — commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867).
A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.
The people at the Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine in Kansas City served up a traditional Mexican breakfast Sunday morning, hoping to raise some funds for the old shrine. They were hoping for a Cinco de Mayo miracle of their own.
There were a handful of faithful older women at the shrine with a passion for traditional food and a love for God and the blessed mother.
Most of these women were born in this neighborhood, baptized and married in this building — when it was still the meeting place of a church.
“I love this place. I think a lot of people love it,” said Teresa Sauceda, the vice president of the shrine.
Twenty-three years ago, the diocese decided to close the church. Some of these ladies fought hard to save the building by turning it into a shrine. Financially, it has been an uphill climb.
“This building is old. It needs a lot of repairs. I think by the grace of God, we have been so blessed,” said Monie Arroyo, the president of the shrine.
The women said over the years, there have been a lot of miracles at the shrine due to the prayers that were offered in the building. Sons who came home from wars. A former parishoner who won the lottery and donated a large amount of money. An attorney who
donated his time, because he said his wife had a divine dream.
“How does that happen? They aren’t Catholic or Christian or any organized religion and the lady has a dream. That’s a miracle,” Arroyo told FOX 4 News.
Now the building’s paint is chipping and the old stained glass windows are in need of repair.
The older generation is hoping the Hispanic youth of their community will devote themselves to keeping the culture, community and ultimately, the shrine alive.
“We are going to have to do a lot of praying and hope for a miracle that our youth get turned around, come back and have a true desire to keep this going,” Arroyo said.
So the ladies at the shrine cooked burritos and sold tamales, all the while praying for another miracle.
“We are a people of prayer that is for sure,” said Teresa Sauceda.
