The Roots of Religion
An Ongoing Legacy of Faith and Family
by Gabby Prado
Throughout my life, I’ve lived by the belief that my success and achievements are not solely mine but are deeply connected to the generations of my family who came before me. In many ways, this may seem contradictory. Why wouldn’t the achievements I’ve made in school or work be entirely a byproduct of the effort I’ve put in? The reality, however, is that no achievement is possible without opportunity and opportunity is something that has historically been difficult to come by for Mexican immigrants in the United States.
Photo: Wikimedia
My family, on both sides, has been granted the privilege of living as American citizens, thanks to the sacrifices made by individuals who risked everything to immigrate to this country. Because of these sacrifices, I often feel that my ancestors’ presence is not weighing me down but is supporting the very ground I stand upon. This belief shapes the way I live my life. I feel a deep need to work hard, make those who came before me proud, and carry their legacy with me. The stories of our past are what influence our futures. By keeping these stories alive through conversations at the dinner table or by upholding traditional recipes and holidays, we allow those who came before us to continue living within our homes and remain a part of an ongoing family narrative.
I find there are three primary values that shape the way the lives of my ancestors live on within my family. The first is family time. Sharing a meal with my entire family, spending a day with my cousins, or asking questions about my heritage proves that there is no greater gift than time. Time is about showing up for those who love and support you and being an active part of their lives as they shape yours. I often learn about my maternal great-grandmother, who served our extended family with love and kindness, and I feel inspired by my paternal great-grandfather, who faced the political hardships of Mexico. By keeping these individuals alive through storytelling, being an active listener, and carrying their wisdom and history with me in my own life, I preserve their memories. In doing so, all they lived for – all the sacrifices they made for their family – becomes intertwined with my endeavors.
The second value for my family is education. To my relatives, education represents an opportunity made possible by the struggles our ancestors endured. Receiving a higher education is not only a way to expand my systems of belief and knowledge. My ancestor’s sacrifices to immigrate to America allowed me to work to enter spaces of higher education and transcend barriers that those who came before me struggled to overcome. My educational achievements are never mere personal goals, but continuations of the paths opened by those who sacrificed for me.
By opening doors for others who identify as I do, a Mexican woman, I feel a responsibility to continue working hard not only for myself. I work for my family, who have supported me and pushed me to open doors for my future, allowing their sacrifices to be honored through me. By pushing myself to my highest potential, I strive to honor the sacrifices made to diversify both our education system and the workforce. While these values may seem daunting at times, they are a manifestation of what my ancestors gave up allowing me to grow, and I carry them with pride and excitement for a future that is rooted in my ancestry.
Photo: RawPixel
A third value that continues to live on, both through my ancestors and my relatives is faith. While it is common in Hispanic families to be rooted in Catholicism, religion in my life has acted as an umbrella of protection. Throughout my home, mementos of Our Lady of Guadalupe are displayed in cabinets and on dressers. These symbols of faith are not meant to judge our actions and instead serve as guides and protectors during life’s difficult and joyous moments.
For my family, religion and its associated symbols are turned to in times of need, and, also to express gratitude and honor our spiritual culture. The beauty of religion, as it intersects with Hispanic culture, is the understanding that all we know and do is rooted in the same beliefs our ancestors held. It is comforting to know that the ways I handle challenges today are like those faced by the generations before me.
Within my family, religion is not about knowing exactly who God is or believing that my life is predetermined. It is about understanding who I am on a spiritual level, as an individual, and within a larger community, and learning how to interact with the world around me with purpose and authenticity. In this foundation of faith, my parents have taught me the importance of serving others and treating everyone with dignity and respect. I have learned that my life is about more than just personal achievements; it is about the positive impact I can have on others and the world around me. If I can bring an ounce of love and kindness to every situation I experience, these positive actions can contribute to the greater good.
Throughout my life, my educational life has been intertwined with religious life. The beauty of this is that the way religion is taught through textbooks is entirely different from the way religion is experienced within familial walls. I have been instilled with the idea that prayer is meant to be a blessing not only for the one speaking, but also with intention for others. Whether it was my grandmother praying a rosary whenever she sought guidance, or my parents reminding me to pray when someone around me was struggling; prayer was never only self-serving. By being reminded that faith was not only meant to be a salvation at the end of my life, but rather an outlet for gratitude and support for the community around me.
Through this religion became comforting and sourced from love for those around me. My family valued religion as a way to be understood outside of physical features, like our ethnic background, and rather to feel accepted as human beings under God.
Header Photo: Picryl