Tu gloria, tu gloria

In the first week of December, Catholics in Nicaragua gather on evenings to pray novenas in preparation for la gritería ("the shout"), a Nicaraguan festival which originated in the early 18th century, held in honor of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, also nicknamed la Purísima. This holiday celebration holds special significance in the city of León, where it originated.

Here, Fieldwork Archivist Claudio Alexander Urbina joins his parish in the Laborío neighborhood of León in singing a Purísima hymn for one of these novenas.

Tu gloria, tu gloria,
gozoso este día,
oh dulce María,
publica mi voz.

Oh Virgen, oh Madre,
oh cándida estrella,
cuán pura, cuán bella
la aurora te vio.

Tu faz ante el orbe
en noche sumido
del sol prometido
la luz anunció.

Tu oriente dichoso,
oh hermosa María,
de paz y alegría
al hombre llenó.

Tu mano potente
después de mil penas
las duras cadenas
al hombre rompió.

Rendido mi pecho
celebra tu gloria;
¡victoria, victoria,
María triunfó!

Your glory, your glory,
joyful this day,
O sweet Mary,
publish my voice.

O Virgin, O Mother,
O innocent star,
how pure, how beautiful
the dawn beheld you.

Your face before the world
submerged in night
announced the light
of the promised sun.

Your blessed luster,
O beautiful Mary,
filled mankind
with peace and joy.

Your powerful hand
after a thousand sorrows
broke the tough chains
of mankind.

My heart surrenders,
celebrates your glory;
victory, victory,
Mary triumphed!

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