"Que Viva la reyna de America," one of the singers yelled in a festive tone. Nearly 200 people filled the Queen of Angeles Church at midnight Thursday in celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe day.

The fervent mariachi-style tunes resonated on the sturdy walls and high ceiling of the church. The voices were happy, yet, somewhat nostalgic when they sang of the love for the virgin Guadalupe, San Diego and other old traditions.

Traditionally, followers welcome the 741-year-old holiday with songs at dawn.

"It is a big day for Mexicans. One of the most grandiose holidays," Raul Herrera said.

The day dates back to Dec. 12, 1531 of Tepeyac Hill in the outskirts of Mexico city, when the Virgin is said to have appeared before Juan Diego, a poor widowed indiginous man.

The virgin instructed Juan Diego to built a church on the site of her apparition. She instructed him to go to the Mexican Bishop of the time, Juan de Zumrraga. The bishop did not believe Juan Diego.

The bishop asked Juan Diego to show some sort of proof of what he was saying was true. The virgin asked Juan San Diego to meet her the next day and she would give him proof to take back to the bishop.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com