Sacred Celebration

The remaining historic farmland in the South Valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico is being rapidly devoured by commercial and residential development. Under the leadership of Franciscan Sister Joan Brown, this community of Hispanics, Native Americans, and Anglos is fighting back. During the festival of San Ysidro, patron saint of agriculture, they gather to consecrate the land that nourishes them and bless the waters that help the crops grow. Religious ritual and sacred celebration become a seedbed for their effective environmental action.