San Juan Bautista
– It comes but once a year.
San Juan Bautista – It comes but once a year.
Old Mission San Juan Bautista is inviting early risers to witness the winter solstice’s unique effect on the mission chapel early Thursday morning.
The when the mission was constructed more than 200 years ago, a small window was built over the middle entrance archway of the chapel. According to archaeologist Ruben Mendoza, a California State University Monterey Bay professor who has devoted much research to the Mission San Juan, the window serves a very distinct and spiritual purpose.
Each year at the dawn of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, the sunlight shines directly in that window. As the sun rises the light travels down the main aisle of the church and settles on the mission tabernacle.
“People just come in to sit and watch the light hit the tabernacle,” said Anne McMahon of the mission office. “It’s a very beautiful and spiritual thing.”
Other missions throughout the state have been constructed to work with light and celestial events in similar ways, such as Mission Santa Barbara, according to Mendoza.
The degree to which the solstice is observed in San Juan changes every year.
“Some years it’s a big deal; some years only a handful of people come,” McMahon said. “This year it’s a very low-key thing.”
No official service will take place, but the mission will be open at 6:30am for anyone who wishes to watch the event. Singer Shannon Frediana will perform traditional chants and Mendoza will present an exhibit on the solstice phenomenon at San Juan. Though Thursday is the official solstice, McMahon said visitors can usually get a glimpse of the effect for one or two days afterward.
“Of course, if it’s foggy or overcast you won’t see anything at all,” she said.
Because of the informal nature of the event, visitors need not be Catholic or even particularly religious to attend.
“Everyone is welcome Thursday morning,” McMahon said.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or ds****@fr***********.com.
