Alcala, Helena (week 3: Virgin of Guadalupe)

 

As a Chicana who grew up Catholic, I am very familiar with the iconic image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. I always saw the image at church and when it wasn't at church it was at home. My relatives, family friends, and neighbors all had an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe somewhere on them or in their homes. So from a young age, I knew that the image was very important and held a lot of meaning within my family and my community. However, I do not feel like I am as attached to the image as I should be. Because I did not permanently reside in California and only frequently visited my Abuela, as I got older the frequency of seeing that image quickly dwindled. All of my experiences are a vague presence in my mind. The one vivid memory I remember is the commonly known candle with the Virgin of Guadalupe on the front. My grandmother would always make sure to have that candle on the counter closest to the stove and she always lit it every night. No one in my family really explained to me what the image meant or represented to them so for now I will have to make my own perception of it and what it means to me. Currently, the image is like a sense of safety and peace to me and I feel this with a small gold pendant necklace that I was given as a baby, whenever I put it on it makes me feel safe, like a guiding and protecting figure almost like a mother it is always with me. I will forever cherish the necklace. I hope to grow a deeper connection with the image and learn more about her background and the impact she's had on the Chicanx community.