Guadalupe and Her Faithful: Latino Catholics in San Antonio, from Colonial Origins to the Present

by Timothy Matovina

Overview

Our Lady of Guadalupe is the most revered religious figure in Mexican Catholicism. Devotion to Guadalupe among Mexicans and Mexican Americans has evolved for nearly five centuries into a deeply rooted, multifaceted tradition. Here, religion scholar Timothy Matovina offers a thorough study of this tradition as it has been lived out by the parishioners of San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas. He shows how the devotion to Guadalupe sustained this congregation through times of political turmoil, war and peace, and ecclesiastical and social changes over San Antonio's long history, from an agricultural settlement on the northern edge of New Spain to a dynamic U.S. metropolis.

Engaging recent scholarly analysis of ritual studies, lived religion, Latino theology and history, transnationalism, and ethnicity, Guadalupe and Her Faithful shows how religious traditions shape and are shaped by a faith community's shifting contexts and power dynamics. This fascinating account reveals the potential force—and the potential limitations—of devotion in people's lives and religious imagination.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801882296
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	11/07/2005
Series:	Lived Religions
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.67(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Timothy Matovina is associate professor of theology and the William and Anna Jean Cushwa Director of the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism at the University of Notre Dame.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction: An Evolving Tradition
Chapter 1. "Nuestra Madre Querida"
Chapter 2. Patroness of la Frontera, 1731–1836
Chapter 3. Defender of Dignidad, 1836–1900
Chapter 4. Companion in el Exilio, 1900–1940
Chapter 5. Celestial Mestiza, 1940–2003
Epilogue: The Future of Guadalupan Devotion
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

A well-researched and value addition to the literatures on popular Mexican and Chicano religiosities.

Ecclesiastical History - Matthew Butler

Timothy Matovina's Guadalupe and her Faithful is a significant contribution to Guadalupan scholarship . . . Matovina taps into the corazón of the matter with his coverage of the religious and popular aspects of the devotion to La Virgen de Guadalupe.

Pacific Historical Review - Tey Marianna Nunn

Matovina has produced a solid piece of history that will be of interest to and enjoyed by professional historians and laypeople alike.

Journal of American History - Anthony Quiroz

This is clearly a substantial work of scholarship and a major contribution to Mexican American religious history . . . It deserves wide readership and acclaim.

American Historical Review - Roberto R. Treviño

A focused, well-researched, and generous book that captures well the various ways that Guadalupan devotion has been expressed and transformed over time . . . This study undoubtedly represents a high point in this ongoing endeavor.

Journal of the American Academy of Religion - Chris Tirres

Matovina's work is . . . breath-taking.

Journal of American Studies Associaton of Texas - Jose Angel Gutierrez

This book belongs with other works that signal a welcome trend in scholarship where popular religion is, at last, no longer dismissed with condescension and scorn but deemed worthy or respect and study.

American Catholic Studies - Ramón Luzárraga

A book that everyone... must read. It should be available in libraries across the nation, because any research on the Guadalupan legacy among Catholics, Hispanic or otherwise, would be incomplete without reference being made to Matovina's work.

Hispanic American Historical Review - Patrick Foley

In Guadalupe and Her Faithful we have a well researched and readable examination of a vibrant faith community.

Catholic Historical Review - Jesús F. de la Teja

This study beautifully combines history, theology, and sociology in looking at Catholic worship in the Latino religious community surrounding San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas.

Americas - Linda B. Hall

Very engaging story... An excellent contribution to Mexican American history and Latino spirituality.

Southwestern Historical Quarterly - Gilberto M. Hinojosa

Guadalupe and Her Faithful is one of those rare texts that bridge the academy, the church, pastors, grassroots devotees, and a wider public... This book increases appreciation and knowledge of the growing Latino population and its religious traditions.

Spiritus: Journal of Christian Spirituality - Virgilio Elizondo

Beautifully written to evoke the very practices being studied, Matovina's painstaking work on communal identity provides evidence that group traditions and identities are 'made, not born.'

Religion and American Culture - Paula Kane

This is clearly a substantial work of scholarship and a major contribution to Mexican American religious history... It deserves wide readership and acclaim.

American Historical Review - Roberto R. Treviño

Gaudalupe... is shown in various lights — in all her glory, and at times her mystery is even slightly unveiled.

Catholic Studies - Georgie Ann Weatherby

A well-written and insightful evaluation.

Journal of American Ethnic History - Kathleen Garces-Foley

This book belongs with other works that signal a welcome trend in scholarship where popular religion is, at last, no longer dismissed with condescension and scorn but deemed worthy or respect and study.

— Ramón Luzárraga

American Catholic Studies

A well-researched and value addition to the literatures on popular Mexican and Chicano religiosities.

— Matthew Butler

Ecclesiastical History

A book that everyone... must read. It should be available in libraries across the nation, because any research on the Guadalupan legacy among Catholics, Hispanic or otherwise, would be incomplete without reference being made to Matovina's work.

— Patrick Foley

Hispanic American Historical Review

In Guadalupe and Her Faithful we have a well researched and readable examination of a vibrant faith community.

— Jesús F. de la Teja

Catholic Historical Review

This study beautifully combines history, theology, and sociology in looking at Catholic worship in the Latino religious community surrounding San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas.

— Linda B. Hall

Americas

Very engaging story... An excellent contribution to Mexican American history and Latino spirituality.

— Gilberto M. Hinojosa

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

Timothy Matovina's Guadalupe and her Faithful is a significant contribution to Guadalupan scholarship... Matovina taps into the corazón of the matter with his coverage of the religious and popular aspects of the devotion to La Virgen de Guadalupe.

— Tey Marianna Nunn

Pacific Historical Review

Guadalupe and Her Faithful is one of those rare texts that bridge the academy, the church, pastors, grassroots devotees, and a wider public... This book increases appreciation and knowledge of the growing Latino population and its religious traditions.

— Virgilio Elizondo

Spiritus: Journal of Christian Spirituality

Beautifully written to evoke the very practices being studied, Matovina's painstaking work on communal identity provides evidence that group traditions and identities are 'made, not born.'

— Paula Kane

Religion and American Culture

This is clearly a substantial work of scholarship and a major contribution to Mexican American religious history... It deserves wide readership and acclaim.

— Roberto R. Treviño

American Historical Review

A focused, well-researched, and generous book that captures well the various ways that Guadalupan devotion has been expressed and transformed over time... This study undoubtedly represents a high point in this ongoing endeavor.

— Chris Tirres

Journal of the American Academy of Religion

Gaudalupe... is shown in various lights — in all her glory, and at times her mystery is even slightly unveiled.

— Georgie Ann Weatherby

Catholic Studies

A well-written and insightful evaluation.

— Kathleen Garces-Foley

Journal of American Ethnic History

Matovina has produced a solid piece of history that will be of interest to and enjoyed by professional historians and laypeople alike.

— Anthony Quiroz

Journal of American History

Matovina's work is... breath-taking.

— Jose Angel Gutierrez

Journal of American Studies Associaton of Texas

Matovina's work is . . . breath-taking.
—Jose Angel Gutierrez, Journal of American Studies Associaton of Texas

Matovina has produced a solid piece of history that will be of interest to and enjoyed by professional historians and laypeople alike.
—Anthony Quiroz, Journal of American History

A well-written and insightful evaluation.
—Kathleen Garces-Foley, Journal of American Ethnic History

Gaudalupe . . . is shown in various lights — in all her glory, and at times her mystery is even slightly unveiled.
—Georgie Ann Weatherby, Catholic Studies

A focused, well-researched, and generous book that captures well the various ways that Guadalupan devotion has been expressed and transformed over time . . . This study undoubtedly represents a high point in this ongoing endeavor.
—Chris Tirres, Journal of the American Academy of Religion

This is clearly a substantial work of scholarship and a major contribution to Mexican American religious history . . . It deserves wide readership and acclaim.
—Roberto R. Treviño, American Historical Review

Beautifully written to evoke the very practices being studied, Matovina's painstaking work on communal identity provides evidence that group traditions and identities are 'made, not born.'
—Paula Kane, Religion and American Culture

Guadalupe and Her Faithful is one of those rare texts that bridge the academy, the church, pastors, grassroots devotees, and a wider public . . . This book increases appreciation and knowledge of the growing Latino population and its religious traditions.
—Virgilio Elizondo, Spiritus: Journal of Christian Spirituality

Timothy Matovina's Guadalupe and her Faithful is a significant contribution to Guadalupan scholarship . . . Matovina taps into the corazón of the matter with his coverage of the religious and popular aspects of the devotion to La Virgen de Guadalupe.
—Tey Marianna Nunn, Pacific Historical Review

Very engaging story . . . An excellent contribution to Mexican American history and Latino spirituality.
—Gilberto M. Hinojosa, Southwestern Historical Quarterly

This study beautifully combines history, theology, and sociology in looking at Catholic worship in the Latino religious community surrounding San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas.
—Linda B. Hall, Americas

In Guadalupe and Her Faithful we have a well researched and readable examination of a vibrant faith community.
—Jesús F. de la Teja, Catholic Historical Review

A book that everyone . . . must read. It should be available in libraries across the nation, because any research on the Guadalupan legacy among Catholics, Hispanic or otherwise, would be incomplete without reference being made to Matovina's work.
—Patrick Foley, Hispanic American Historical Review

A well-researched and value addition to the literatures on popular Mexican and Chicano religiosities.
—Matthew Butler, Ecclesiastical History

This book belongs with other works that signal a welcome trend in scholarship where popular religion is, at last, no longer dismissed with condescension and scorn but deemed worthy or respect and study.
—Ramón Luzárraga, American Catholic Studies

From the Publisher

In Guadalupe and Her Faithful we have a well researched and readable examination of a vibrant faith community.

Catholic Historical Review - Jesús F. de la Teja

This book belongs with other works that signal a welcome trend in scholarship where popular religion is, at last, no longer dismissed with condescension and scorn but deemed worthy or respect and study.

American Catholic Studies - Ramón Luzárraga