Clouds overwhelm sun on solstice
Worshippers and the just plain curious waited under leaden skies
just before dawn broke last Sunday morning, Dec. 21, to witness a
holiday mystery.
Clouds overwhelm sun on solstice
Worshippers and the just plain curious waited under leaden skies just before dawn broke last Sunday morning, Dec. 21, to witness a holiday mystery.
Each year, on the winter solstice, the first light of the sun streams straight through a small front window of Mission San Juan Bautista and briefly lights the center of the church’s altar, the tabernacle enclosure itself.
The phenomenon was discovered – or rediscovered – some years ago by the mission’s pastor, Edward Fitz-Henry. Since then, people have waited each year on the shortest day to witness the spectacle.
Weather didn’t permit the phenomenon to repeat itself this year, but since archaeologist Ruben G. Mendoza witnessed the spectacle himself in 2000, his research has revealed long-forgotten solstice, feast day and equinox illuminations at 12 of California’s 22 missions, as well as many others in other states. Mendoza is a member of the faculty as CSU Monterey Bay.
As the sun rose higher over the Diablo Range Sunday, people gathered in front of the mission sanctuary, quietly talking and enjoying the first light of the year’s shortest day.
