Occasionally fidgeting in a white suit, 2 1/2-year-old Luis Alejandro was baptized in the Denver Coliseum arena during Mass on Sunday morning.
Friends and members of the Jerry Diaz Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza at the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo witnessed Luis’ entrance into the Catholic faith.
“May the Lord give you a beautiful life,” the Rev. Tomas Fraile of St. Cajetan’s Catholic Church told Luis as he anointed the boy with holy water and oil.
His parents, Luis and Lola Canela of Lakewood, and older sister, Katrina Alejandro, 5, smiled as mariachis sang and played.
Little Luis waved to a friend who was among grandmothers with shawls, men holding their sombreros to their chests and young girls with colorful, ruffled dresses and flowers in their hair.
Their chairs, the altar and baptismal font were set up on the arena’s dirt floor, where a few hours later, the Mexican rodeo would unwind.
The proud godparents are Roberto and Norma Torres, owners of the Las Delicias restaurant chain that is a National Western sponsor, and Jerry and Staci Diaz, who present the Mexican rodeos.
Several years ago, the Mass was organized to be held during the weekend that the National Western presents the Mexican rodeo so troupe members could attend church.
During Sunday’s Mass, attendees prayed for people who work the land, for their animals, for peace, for soldiers in Iraq and for the National Western, which brings together diverse people.
The only important things, Jerry Diaz told the crowd, are the seeds for the future that grow with faith and friends.
“The 100th anniversary of the National Western, what a big celebration,” Diaz said. “We won’t be here for the next 100th, but our seed will be here, and today’s baptism – that is the seed for the future.”
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
