A view of Mission San Juan Capistrano in April of 2005. The Mission has earned a reputation as the “Loveliest of the Franciscan Ruins.” While the ruins of “The Great Stone Church” (which was all but leveled by an 1812 earthquake) are a renowned architectural wonder, the Mission is perhaps best known for the annual “Return of the Swallows”
The miracle of the "Swallows" of Capistrano takes place each year at the Mission San Juan Capistano, on March 19th, St. Joseph's Day. As the little birds wing their way back to the most famous Mission in California, the village of San Juan Capistrano takes on a fiesta air and the visitors from all parts of the world, and all walks of life, gather in great numbers to witness the "miracle" of the return of the swallows.
Each year the "Scout Swallows" precede the main flock by a few days and it seems to be their chief duty to clear the way for the main flock to arrive at the "Old Mission" of Capistrano. With the arrival of early dawn on St. Joseph's Day, the little birds begin to arrive and begin rebuilding their mud nests, which are clinging to the ruins of the old stone church of San Juan Capistrano.
After winter’s vacation, in Argentina,
they return each year as if by subpoena.
How do they do it, for ages it’s been asked,
how do little birds perform such a task?
But then these are not just any bird,
but the famous swallows of which you’ve heard.
As sure as the notes of an accomplished soprano,
they find their way back to San Juan Capistrano.
Leaving South America as if by a clock,
flying to California before they dock,
right on schedule on “St. Joseph’s Day”,
at San Juan’s mission Spring and Summer to stay.
The swallow’s flight takes some 7,000 miles,
and to dwell on that may bring some denials.
To catch air currents with the necessary flow,
altitudes are adjusted often to the most apropos.
Arrival at the old mission is quite an occasion,
as worldwide visitors celebrate the invasion.
Bells of the old church ring loudly for hours,
and a huge fiesta is replete with Spring flowers.
The swallows set about to build mud nests,
knowing safety is assured as honored guests.
They seem to sense San Juan’s regulation,
to harm the swallows means a jail destination.
Behind the sheltered walls of the old mission,
spending Spring and Summer as if by cognition,
the swallows realize when it’s time to leave,
making the term “bird brain” hard to believe.
On the “Day of San Juan”, October twenty-three,
the birds circle the old mission, preparing to flee.
With “Thank you” squawks echoing o’er the land below,
they turn for Argentina, it’s time for their Winter show.
It’s true those in San Juan regret seeing them depart,
but next March 19 they’ll fly back into their heart.
How do they do it, for centuries it’s been asked,
how do little birds perform such a task?
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