In Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, parishioners gather each summer to restore the historic Mission Church of San Francisco de Asis, built in the early 1800s. This labor-intensive process, known as anjare, involves using mud and straw to maintain the church’s adobe structure. Guadalupe Tafoya explained that the community comes together to essentially “muddy” the church, likening it to applying makeup.
The restoration begins by removing weathered layers to allow breathability, followed by applying a mixture of mud, straw, and water in two to three layers. New priests, including Father Ryan Stoer, enjoy participating in this tradition, learning about the community’s history while gaining hands-on experience. The process highlights the intergenerational connections within families, as many have maintained ties to the church for years.
Despite the tradition’s importance, fewer volunteers are participating, prompting a call for younger community members to engage. Father Ryan emphasized the desire to make the event more inclusive for youth. Work on the church is expected to conclude soon as the community continues to uphold this cherished practice.
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