Mission San Juan Capistrano welcomes the Return of the Swallows
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Mission San Juan Capistrano bell ringers Michael Gastelum, left, and Nathan Banda, both Acjachemen Indians, take part in the traditional ceremony welcoming swallows back to Capistrano on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sudents from Mission Basilica School perform during St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Costumed students from Mission Basilica School get ready to perform during St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Lori Gutierrez rings a 1937 school bell during the St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kindergarten students from Mission Basilica School perform a dance during the St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People wait for the Mission San Juan Capistrano Ringing of the Bell ceremony to begin on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The tradition celebrates the annual return of the swallows to Capistrano.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tribal leader of the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians, Heidi Lucero, takes part in the annual Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Renee Bondi performs, “When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano,” with Mariachi Tapatio during the St.Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
First-grade students from Mission Basilica School perform during St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kindergarten students from Mission Basilica School watch the ringing of the 1927 school bell during their procession into Mission San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. They performed a dance during the St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The annual event marks the return of the famous swallows to the city with the ringing of the mission’s bells. March 19 is also the feast day of St. Joseph, also a tradition at the mission.
The day began with a St. Joseph’s Day Mass at the mission and there were also presentations on the history of the mission, Native American storytelling, flamenco dancing and mariachi performances and more.
The community’s celebration of the swallows continues, throughout the week, see more about the activities planned, including Saturday’s parade, here.
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