Vow Renewals, Misa a la Chilena, and the Fonda al Colegio Andacollo

Saturday September 7th was a busy day for me!!  I began the day off by attending the renewals of vows for the three Haitian seminarians here in Chile.  Icemick, Jacquy, and Mickely are studying to be priests here in Santiago with the Congregation of Holy Cross, and at mass yesterday morning they renewed their vows before fellow seminarians, the District Superior, Holy Cross priests and brothers, and myself.  It was very exciting and it was wonderful to be able to share in this experience with my new friends!

Icemick and me after the renewal of vows

 



The Fiestas Patrias (Chilean Independence days) are coming next week and the Colegio Andacollo kicks off the celebration a little early with a Chilean Mass and then a fonda (kinda like a fair) at the school.  The mass began with a procession of Andacollo students in traditional Chilean garb as well as more traditional music and readings that were more or less tailored to the celebration of the country of Chile.  The church was packed and all of the students were adorable all dressed up!

The mass

 

Students in traditional Chilean outfits at mass

 

After the mass, everyone made their way next door to the school.  There were booths all around the courtyard selling food, like anticuchos (kebabs), dulces (sweets), empanadas, choripans (chorizo and bread sandwichs), and completos (hotdogs), as well as sodas and little toys.  All of the proceeds went back to the school, parish, and the classes that were sponsoring the booths.  I worked at the choripan station, as a part of the Pastoral--which was one of the most popular booths because we ran out of all of the food in two and a half hours.  I had the grunt, yet very important work, of cutting the chorizo links apart and separating the bread so it could be grilled.  We were crazy busy up until all of the choripans were gone. 

 

The best part, or at least I thought so, of the fonda was the giant stage that was set up in the middle of the courtyard so that all of the classes could dance.

The stage

 

So, grades kindergarten through 12th all danced traditional Chilean dances in traditional Chilean outfits.  It was really cool seeing these kids dancing these beautiful dances and how excited and proud they were to be up there. 

First graders dancing the cueca

 

High schoolers

 

High schoolers

 

 It was a wonderful way to kick off the celebration of Chilean independence!!

Finally, I thought that I should include a picture of Anais and myself, since I talk about her all the time. :)

 

Viva Chile!