Mariachi musicians serenade their patron saint

November 22, 2012 | Modified: November 22, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Leave a comment

A Mariachi musician carries an image of Saint Cecilia during a procession honoring her Mexico City, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. Hundreds of people walked in procession to the Basilica of Guadalupe to honor Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music. (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican mariachi musicians have celebrated their patron St. Cecilia with songs and a church Mass.

About 300 musicians serenaded their patron saint at Plaza Garibaldi, the legendary home of Mexico City's mariachi bands.

They then carried a shrine of St. Cecilia decorated with flowers and palm leaves on a long procession to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica while playing their instruments. The musicians' relatives carried balloons and waved Mexican flags.

Everyone filed into the basilica for the Mass in honor of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians.

Mariachi musician Tomas Villar says that for him Thursday's celebration was a chance to thank St. Cecilia for this year's work and to ask her for work in the coming year.