It was quite common to see young children and adults playing mariachi music in churches while growing up in the 70’s and 80’s. Many mariachi musicians in San Antonio studied with the late Jesse and Josephine Orta and their daughter Geraldine “Booboo” Orta Charles. Rondalla classes were held at Via Maria near the campus of Central Catholic High School. It was there that the Orta family donated countless hours of their time teaching songs that are played in mass and other songs that are part of the cultural traditions of Mexico like the Posadas, the serenata para las madres and the serenata para el virgen. Mrs. Josephine Orta was known for playing the mandolin and for leading a choir made up of men, women and children in which a large number of the women sang in soprano voices. Times spent with the Orta family were priceless. They gave their entire lives to teaching music through the church and shaping the culture of South Texan. It was common to play and sing mariachi music with the Orta family in 2 or 3 masses every Sunday at San Jose Mission, San Fernando Cathedral and St. Patrick’s.

The Mariachi Mass at San Fernando Cathedral brings back to the days when I first started playing mariachi music. This is why the “Blessing of the Mariachis” is a special way to kick off the 8-day Mariachi Music Extravaganza. Everyone is invited to attend especially mariachi musicians. The mass will be celebrated with mariachi music and the priest will invite all mariachi musicians and vocalist to the front to receive a blessing towards the end of the mass. Be sure to wear your mariachi traje and plan to arrive by 7:45 a.m. to make sure to get a seat. Breakfast will follow at a nearby restaurant.

San Fernando Cathedral’s mariachi mass is televised live and airs on KWEX-TV, San Antonio’s Univision station. San Fernando Cathedral is a historical church was founded in 1731. It’s the oldest standing church in Texas and is located in the heart of downtown San Antonio at 115 W. Main Plaza.