Churches emphasize mariachi music

SAN JUAN — Francisco Morales made a decision in a Monterrey orphanage 25 years ago that changed his life.

He leaped at the chance to fill in for the orphanage’s chapel organist, who was preparing to leave town for a few days.

“I raised my hand,” Morales, 47, recalled. “I said, ‘Me,’ but I didn’t know anything about music.”

That day led him on a lifelong pursuit of music, furthered by a Catholic priest who encouraged the orphanage’s boys to hone their talents.

Today, Morales leads the 14-member mariachi at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine, where he continues to play the instrument he learned long ago.

Now Morales is composing new music for the band, thanks to a renewed emphasis on liturgical music at churches throughout the country.

Last year, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops published a paper underscoring the importance of playing music that’s relevant to parishioners’ culture and language.

“Immigrants should be welcomed and should be provided with the resources they need to worship in their own language,” the paper reads.

The Mariachi Universitario mariachis play at the basilica, the hub of Catholic activity in Hidalgo County, where more than 80 percent of residents speak Spanish at home. The basilica is also a destination for thousands of Mexicans who make pilgrimages to the shrine.

As a key part of Mexico’s music heritage, the mariachis have become an integral facet of worship services at the basilica.

Morales began composing new liturgical music in the mariachi style in 2006 after he was approached by the Rev. Greg Labus, who served the basilica at the time.

Church musicians are allowed to perform other types of religious songs, but there has been a renewed emphasis at the basilica and from the Catholic Church on playing music based on actual liturgical text.

“There are people taking (religious text) and making it their own — (developing) styles that agree with their cultural experiences and cultural environments,” said Pedro Rubalcava, director of Hispanic ministries at Oregon Catholic Press, which publishes hymnals and songbooks.

At least three other parishes in the Rio Grande Valley have mariachi bands, including San Martin de Porres in Alton, which started a mariachi bands about five years ago.

In December the basilica band premiered new songs based on the Advent text. Since then, Morales has also written compositions for Lent and Easter.

“He’s very gifted in writing music,” said Labus, who now works at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Harlingen.

Morales and his band typically perform at the basilica five times a week. Donning traditional white suits, red scarves and gold buttons, Mariachi Universitario performs to hundreds of worshippers at a time.

While mariachis have long been a staple of restaurants, quinceañeras and parties, Morales said he prefers the religious style.

“I like playing at the church because I see I’m helping people to grow in their faith,” he said.

He and his band members — most of whom grew up in the same orphanage — feel an obligation to teach people about God through their musical gift, Morales said.

“To us, it’s like we have to serve the people with that kind of music,” he said.

The new liturgical music is performed during church processions, such as the offertory and the communion processional.

The compositions are a work in progress, and Morales is now composing music for Christmas and other occasions.

Labus and Morales hope to eventually get the songs published, so that mariachis at other churches can play the music.

“Instead of being a follower in the Valley,” Labus said, “we can be leader.”

Ryan Holeywell covers PSJA, the Mid-Valley and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.