When do the swallows come back to Capistrano?
March 12, 2021
On St. Joseph’s Feast Day, of course!
Each year on the Feast of St. Joseph the swallows return to the Mission of San Juan Capistrano in California. The Mission has it own unique way of celebrating St. Joseph’s Day.
For the 2021 Feast Day, the Mission has several virtual events (www.facebook.com/MissionSJC) planned:
- Mission San Juan Capistrano Welcome
- Mission Basilica School Presentation
- Mission Basilica School Performances
- Virtual Lecture about the Swallows of Capistrano: Pre-Register
- Historic Bell Ringing
- About the Swallows: A Virtual Tour by Alexander Warner: Pre-Register
The following song commemorating this annual event was recorded by the Ink Spots, Glenn Miller, Pat Boone, and Elvis Presley.
When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano
Words and Music by Rene Leon, Copyright © 1940/1969
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That’s the day you promised to come back to me.
When you whispered farewell in Capistrano
‘Twas the day the swallows flew out to the sea.
All the mission bells will ring
The chapel choir will sing
The happiness you’ll bring
Will live in my memory.
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That’s the day I pray that you’ll come back to me.
While the altar candles burn
My heart is burning too
If you should not return
I’ll still be waiting for you.
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That’s the day I pray that you’ll come back to me,
That’s the day I pray that you’ll come back to me.
