Hornitos Honors Día de los Muertos Tradition on All Souls’ Day
October 9, 2025 - Once a year on November 2nd in Hornitos, a candle-lit procession winds its way up the hill toward St. Catherine’s Catholic Church and to the cemetery beyond in observance of the Ancient Feast of El Día De Los Muertos.
This year on Sunday, November 2 at our new time of 4:00 P.M. people will gather again in the Hornitos Plaza. Rev. Rodolfo Esmero of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mariposa will lead the procession up the hill to the cemetery, stopping at the grave of early Hornitos resident, Doña Candelaria de Sapien, keeper of the tradition. After Father Rudy leads the Blessing of the Cemetery participants may place battery operated candles at her grave, at the graves of family and friends, or at any unlit grave. Father Rudy will then celebrate the All Souls’ Day Mass for the Dead at the historic St. Catherine’s Church in the cemetery.
The practice of placing candles at the graves of loved ones on All Souls' Day was brought to Hornitos from Mexico by early miners. Doña Candelaria de Sapien revived the practice in the early 1900’s. Due to fire danger and liability concerns only battery-operated candles and tea lights are allowed.
This procession, which has lately numbered up to 450 participants, has been held every November 2nd for as many as 121 years. Friends, history buffs and those who wish to honor the memory of early Hornitos settlers are all invited to join in the candlelight procession.
Light refreshments will be served by the Patron’s Club, at the Golden Stag Hall in Hornitos following the celebration.
For more information please call: (209) 966-2522.
Visit Hornitos Patrons Club on Facebook.
Source: Hornitos Patron’s Club