Mission Statement
“With integrity, the Capistrano Historical Alliance Committee proudly recognizes, respects and honors ALL the historical elements of San Juan Capistrano – its lands, its structures, its families and its traditions.”
Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 12th was the great Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She has been declared the Patroness of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. However, long before there was even the thought of a Diocese, we the historical native families of Old Mission San Juan Capistrano were already venerating and paying homage to this great Lady we lovingly called our “Mother”.
The early Old Mission founding Franciscan Friars brought an early image of her to our Mission and our people. They taught us everything about this Holy Woman and from that a deep respect and reverence for her developed. For many generations, Our Lady of Guadalupe was honored each year with a procession and sung Solemn High Mass. Rita Lobo would carry the large banner of our “Mother” in procession. When Rita could no longer do that, the tradition and responsibility were carried on by Viviana Ricardes-Oliveras, Rosa Aguilar, and Ventura Yorba Garcia Nieblas. Her image was carried in every Holy Day religious procession that occurred at the Old Mission. The local historical women also formed a spiritual group called the “Guadalupanas”. These women were strong Catholics who always came to the assistance, in prayer and deed, of our beloved Old Mission, Priests, Sisters, and local community when needed. This went on for many years and by many generations. They never asked for anything in return.
Thank you to our early Old Mission founding Franciscan Friars for bringing this great “Lady” into our lives. Many of our historical families still have her image in a noticeable place of honor in our homes. To Her, we loving forever say “Mi Casa es Su Casa.”
Donate Today
Join us as we strive to make a difference in San Juan Capistrano by donating today.
We Care
Your donations help us to continue our good work in our community as we preserve what is important.
We Preserve
We strive to preserve the structures, land, and traditions that make up San Juan Capistrano for generations to come.
We Honor
We honor the historical elements that make up our community along with its families, structures, lands, and traditions.
Thank you for helping us make a difference.
Please mail your donations to:
Capistrano Historical Alliance Committee (A Non-Profit Organization)
P.O Box 1293
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693
Tax ID#35-2419216
Articles – We are making a difference every day
Federal probe of American Indian boarding schools reflects dark chapter in U.S. history
This article was written by Joe Belson from the San Bernardino Sun on July 4, 2021, and published on The Press-Enterprise website. You can read the article in full and view the images on this website by following this link:...
read moreMore Unmarked Graves Discovered in Canada as Church Vandalism Continues
Read this article in full and review the images on National Catholic Register: https://www.ncregister.com/cna/more-unmarked-graves-discovered-in-canada-as-church-vandalism-continues This article was written by: Catholic News Agency and published on July 1, 2021, and...
read moreI Am Juaneño
This video is available on YouTube for viewing. It was written, directed, and produced by Cyril Lumboy and co-produced by Kathia Meda, and posted on May 18, 2021. The Capistrano Historical Alliance Committee would like to acknowledge the major contributors represented...
read moreUS Catholic Bishops Approve Development of Native American Pastoral Plan
This article was published in the National Catholic Register online. You can read the article in full by following the link: https://www.ncregister.com/news/us-catholic-bishops-approve-development-of-native-american-pastoral-plan This article was written by Peter...
read moreWill U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Plan Revive the Church’s Living Native American Roots?
This article was published in the National Catholic Register online. You can read the article in full by following the link: https://www.ncregister.com/blog/native-american-pastoral-plan This article was written by Peter Jesserer Smith on June 18, 2021 Prominent U.S....
read morePhoto Gallery
Let this picture begin your journey of historically rich San Juan Capistrano…
View our Board Members in action
We are always working for the historic families of San Juan Capistrano.
View Historical Images
These images make up who we are as a people, celebrating our families, our heritage, and our traditions.
Our Ancestors
Those who have gone before us and have prepared the way for us to keep doing what we do.
Who We Are
We are the chosen! In each family, there is one who seems called to find the ancestors. To put flesh on their bones and make them alive again, to tell the family story and to feel that somehow they know and approve. Doing Geneology is not a cold gathering of facts, but instead, breathing life into all who have gone before. We are the storytellers of the tribe.
This statement, by an anonymous person, describes the very being of Jerry Nieblas, Historian of the Old Mission and San Juan Capistrano.
So Many Memories and Contributions, Yet So Little Recognition
The Capistrano Historical Alliance Committee wishes to remember and honor the pre-Mission, Native American, early Californio, and very early European settlers who lovingly dedicated and sacrificed most of their lives to the building, survival, and care of our Old Mission San Juan Capistrano.
The Mission stands today as a constant deep reminder, a tribute to those who gave so humbly of themselves, never asking for recognition or anything in return. Because of their devotion and love of our Mother Catholic Church and beloved Old Mission, it rests on an indestructible foundation.
We proudly and humbly honor:
~ Vaya Con Dios, y que su viaje sea feliz! ~
Go with God, and may your journey be happy!
Your descendants remain here, our historical bloodlines unbroken, in this, our great and historical San Juan Capistrano community. We thank you with our deepest love and respect for all your years of difficult, selfless, dedicated devotion to our Old Mission San Juan Capistrano. We are proud to be members of these families.