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Flamenco Mass
The Osgood File (CBS Radio Network): 3/23/01
Flamenco dancers fire up Catholic worship service in San Antonio.
Flamenco is a passionate and emotional form of dance that might seem like the last thing you'd see in a Catholic church. But twice a year for the celebratory seasons of Christmas and Easter, Father Jake Empereur conducts Flamenco Mass at San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio Texas. Flamenco dancers are part of the procession into the church: they dance their way up to the altar to present the gifts of wine and bread for the Eucharist, and reverently fan the liturgical books with colorful Spanish fans. At the high point of the mass, when it's time to proclaim the gospel, the priest joins in and dances with the 10 or 12 professional Flamenco dancers.
San Fernando Cathedral is home to the Flamenco Mass and many public rituals and celebrations of Mexican Catholic faith. Flamenco, with its roots in Spain, reflects the Hispanic origins of historic San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest parish church and the oldest cathedral in the U.S. But the passionate dance form is also uniquely suited to convey the deep emotions of Catholic faith, from great sorrow to transcendent joy. The expressive nature of Flamenco dramatizes the symbolism of the service, reflecting important sacred moments through movement and gesture. It mirrors the emotional Latino experience of the Liturgy, and deepens the congregations' involvement in the Mass, by bringing passion, life and movement inside the Cathedral.
The Flamenco Mass has been celebrated at San Fernando Cathedral for 15 years. About a thousand people crowd into the cathedral for Father Empereur's service, which to his knowledge is the only Flamenco Mass in the country. Traditional elements of the Flamenco style create an electric effect by bringing color and movement to the service. The dancers wear richly decorated traditional costumes, carry colorful Spanish fans, and are accompanied by classical Spanish Flamenco guitar music and traditional singing, clapping and castanets. Though some might think that the church is no place for dancing, Father Empereur disagrees-he says that the dignified nature of Flamenco dance conveys soul, depth and emotion to the service, deepening and revitalizing the experience of mass for his parishioners.
CONTACTS
Father Jake Empereur
San Fernando Cathedral
115 W Main Plaza
San Antonio, Texas 78205
Phone: (210)227-1297
LINKS
The Handbook of Texas Online includes historical information about the San Fernando Cathedral.
The EWTN Global Catholic Network has information on Catholic prayers and devotionals.
The Andalucia Web site has information on flamenco.
The Classical Guitar Illustrated History Web site has information on flamenco.
The Flamenco World Web site includes an introduction to flamenco.
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