Hornitos, once a lively gold town of 22,000 souls, now drowses in the foothills, a reminder of when the town was full of gold miners seeking their fortunes.

Once a year, on Nov. 2, a candle-lit procession winds its way up a hill to St. Catherine’s Catholic Church and to the cemetery beyond in observance of All Soul’s Day.

This year, Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. people will gather again in the Hornitos Plaza. After all the candles are lit, Reverend Stephen Bulfer of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mariposa will lead the procession up the hill to the cemetery, with each person carrying a lighted candle. After Father Bulfer gives the blessing of the cemetery at the grave of early Hornitos resident, Doña Candelaria de Sapien, participants may place candles at her grave, at the graves of family and friends, or at any unlit grave. Father Bulfer will then celebrate All Soul’s Day mass for the dead in St. Catherine’s Church.

The practice of placing candles at the graves of loved ones on All Soul’s Day was brought to Hornitos from Mexico by early miners. Doña Candelaria de Sapien revived the practice in the early 1900s. This procession, which numbers about 250 people, has been held every Nov. 2 for over 45 years. Friends, history buffs and those who wish to honor the memory of early Hornitos settlers are invited to join in the candlelight procession.

Light refreshments will be served by the Hornitos Patron’s Club at the Stag Hall in Hornitos following the celebration. For information, call 966-2522.