Saturday, January 28, 2017

VELA FINDS LONG LOST ANCESTOR IN MATA CHURCH VAULT

By Juan Montoya
U.S. Representative Filemon Vela Jr. remembers that as a young boy his father – the late Filemon Vela, an attorney and then a federal judge – took him to visit the crypt containing the remains of his grandfather's brother, Rogelio Sanchez Magallanes.

For many years, Vela tried to remember where the crypt of his ancestor was kept. Then, just this week, he finally found him. It wasn't at the main Nuestra Seña del Refugio, the Catholic Diocese Main Cathedral, where this year he began his effort to locate him. Instead, it was at another cathedral, the memory of which the many years that had passed had dimmed in his mind.

Matamoros has a long history that is inextricably liked to the Catholic Church. The first diocese had its seat in Cuidad Victoria. The the first bishop of Tamaulipas was Mons. Ignacio Montes de Oca appointed in 1870 and had been the personal chaplain to Emperor Maximilian. It wasn't until
1958 that the state was divided into two dioceses, Matamoros and Tampico. Steeped in history, the main cathedral has several written accounts – like newspapers, burials, marriages, confirmations, and government documents – of the Texas revolution.

"I've been on a three month quest, and finally found what I was looking for," Vela said.
"When I was a kid my parents would take us into Matamoros during the weekends and we would visit the crypt below in which lies my grandfather’s brother."

Vela's mother (the late Blanca Vela, the former mayor of Brownsville) was born in Harlingen but she was sent to elementary school in Matamoros, he recalled.
"Her uncle was the monsignor at the cathedral but must have had something to do with the school as well. I have great memories of visiting Matamoros as we were growing up."

"So I got curious," he said. "First, we checked the cathedral but there was no sign of him. I figured they had moved him. We checked other sources at the diocese of Matamoros and we still couldn’t find him. My parents had said that the crypt was in a basement."

Finally, after three months of searching, he got a vital clue.

"We got a tip that he was at Sagrado Corazon, and my deputy chief of staff sent her mother over this morning and we found him," he said Friday.
There, among other long gone personages that walked on this same land and lived on the US-Mexico border, was his long lost ancestor.

"I was happy to find out that after all those years he was still in his original sacred place," said Vela.

For the curious, or for those who want to pay respects to their own relatives who might be in the church's vault, it should be noted that access to the Sagrado Corazon basement is only open Tuesday through Sunday, not on Mondays.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

As a child, (I am a woman in my 50's) I remember going with adults to the basement of the old Sagrado Corazon church where nuns and priest had catechism and some church offices. I remember hearing stories that there were underground passages (tunnels) that connected Sagrado Corazon to the cathedral and even to "Museo Casa Mata". Since I was about 6 or 7 yrs. old, I don't remember ever seeing anyone actually going through the tunnels or if they really exist. I was reminded of that after seeing this picture.

Anonymous said...

Deport vela until he learns how to respect his president.

Anonymous said...

Stay sexy eat shrimp

Anonymous said...

I like Vela personally but he should have not gotten involved with the boycott of Trumps swearing in. I swear that was wrong for our gorgeous area. Trump either has heard about it or he will. Trump will not support Vela's area as long as he is president. Damn it Filemon, you should have asked me for heavens sake. Stay sexy, eat shrimp

Anonymous said...

Slow day I guess

Anonymous said...

Why should anybody give a shit about this pinche guy who doesn't care enough about about this country to attend the Inauguration of the new president, whether he like him, or not.

He is a disgrace to his office and our community. Bury his ass in Mexico as well.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Vela childish games. U are a professional and represent lots of people. Start acting like one.

Anonymous said...

Best places to eat seafood. Oysterbar and Captain Bobs. Their revenue stays in Brownsville unlike the other places that send their revenue back to Mexico or South Padre Island or even Red Lobster's corporate headquaeter city.

Anonymous said...

Vela says to build more bridges. Who the hell does he think will pay for it. All the advertisements on those digital boards he paid for about build more bridges not walls. God Damn it , stop spending money on stupid thoughts. And please tell us Ralph Vela will not run foe anything. One Vela is enough.

Anonymous said...

Support local businesses that keep their revenue in Brownsville. Too much cash being taken across bridges into Mexico. Hell, maybe some goes to cartels dummmies. Wake up like Trump did

Anonymous said...

Vela did the right thing, his constituency didn't vote for that idiot in DC. He will be the worst president ever elected and will divide this country like no other. Four years cannot get here soon enough ! Idiot !

Anonymous said...

Id rather have someones regurgitated McDonalds, than eat at freshly cooked captain bob.

Anonymous said...

8:09 it's going to be a long 8 years for you and Vela, you jack ass. President Trump and I enjoy your tears.

Anonymous said...

Donald Trump will not get re-elected. He didn't win the popular vote the first time, and if he has the audacity to run for a second term, he will be nearly 80 in physical years and with a lot of negative baggage that the WHOLE country, even some of his "followers" will not vote for him. These 2 weeks are NOTHING compare to the damage he will do in the long run.
Captain Bob's has the worst fish and shrimp in Brownsville. I KNOW people that have gotten ill and landed in the ER at Valley Regional and Valley Baptist after eating at the place on Price Road.
If I want fresh fish or shrimp, I go to SPI. Any restaurant there is 100% better than captain Bob's.
I support 100% congressman Vela on his decision on not to attend DT inagural. It's a matter of belief and principles. If the current administration and its followers are bringing up the term of democracy and democratic principles then HE is EXERCISING that same right so GOOD FOR HIM.

Anonymous said...

Fucking libtards you'll never change. You are the reason this country is divided!!

Anonymous said...

2:32 You and your racist president are a bunch of buffoons if you think this progressive country is going to let us go back into your redneck incest woods. The taint of this election by most of your yahoos who voted for a tv personality that only you could recognize, is already having your own have second thoughts when it hurts you in your pocketbook. Ask your Republican Ex presidents and members of congress what they are thinking now, oh I forgot they don't represent you yeah yeah yeah. Create your own party and quit hiding behind your prejudice ass, call it what it is, the Racist Party and do us a favor move to Tennessee or Georgia asshole.

Anonymous said...

No one has ever told Captain Bobs about hospital visits. You will be sued anonymous coward. And then you lie about visits to hospitals . cease your lies or you will be sued .

Anonymous said...

10:17 spoken like a true libtard. WAAAAAA! We want a do over.....you lost, get over it. Pull yourself out of your self pity and get your shit together. Try to keep up with us because change is here.

Anonymous said...

Blah,blah,blah, playing the racist card is getting old. You liberals are a bunch of cry babies who didn't get their way go hide in your safe space and suck on your thumb!!

Anonymous said...

Dam right!!

Anonymous said...

They were spitting on the kids from the Valley in DC. Too Mexican looking for their white supremacist taste. Glad Vela gave the finger to that Nazi Cheeto Trump! Fuck his inauguration, the dude has done nothing but fuck up in his first 2 weeks in office, it's the final countdown to impeachment day

rita