The
miracle of the "Swallows" of Capistrano takes
place each year at the Mission San Juan Capistano,
on March 19th, St. Joseph's Day.
As
the little birds wing their way back to the most
famous Mission in California, the village of San
Juan Capistrano takes on a fiesta air and the
visitors from all parts of the world, and all
walks of life, gather in great numbers to witness
the "miracle" of the return of the swallows.
Each
year the "Scout Swallows" precede the main flock
by a few days and it seems to be their chief duty
to clear the way for the main flock to arrive
at the "Old Mission" of Capistrano.
With
the arrival of early dawn on St. Joseph's Day,
the little birds begin to arrive and begin rebuilding
their mud nests, which are clinging to the ruins
of the old stone church of San Juan Capistrano.
The arches of the two story, high vaulted Chapel
were left bare and exposed, as the roof collapsed
during the earthquake of 1812.
This
Chapel, said to be the largest and most ornate
in any of the missions, now has a more humble
destiny--that of housing the birds that St. Francis
loved so well.
After
the summer spent within the sheltered walls of
the Old Mission in San Juan Capistrano, the swallows
take flight again, and on the Day of San Juan,
October 23, they leave after circling the Mission
bidding farewell to the "JEWEL OF ALL MISSIONS"
San Juan Capistrano, California.
