Ursuline High School Celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast and Three Kings’ Day

Paulina Montaldo, Spanish Teacher, Ursuline High School, Youngstown

Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean celebrate the Epiphany, or what is also known as Three Kings’ Day, with traditions that originated with Spanish settlers.   The Epiphany marks the celebration of the day on which the Magi arrived bearing gifts for baby Jesus.

Paulina Montaldo’s Spanish II classes at Ursuline High School in Youngstown, celebrated Three Kings’ Day after discussing the holiday and watching videos about the traditions.

Traditions involve the preparation of Rosca de Reyes, which is a sweet bread that is to be shared.  A small baby Jesus figurine is baked into the bread.  Children write letters to the Three Kings and they ask Balthazar, Melchior and Gaspar for presents!  Once letters are done, children tie their messages to multicolor balloons that are released outside in hopes to reach the sky and come to the Kings.

While Spanish II celebrated Three Kings Day on January 6th, AP Spanish students celebrated The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th.  Seniors and Juniors attended mass in Spanish at the school’s chapel.  Father John MulQueen, UHS alumni (‘53) celebrated the liturgy.

Sophomores Larry Skiver and Ciel Vidale in front of a display of students’ letters to the Three Kings.

Juniors and Seniors with Father John MulQueen at the school’s chapel after the Lady of Guadalupe liturgy.