Gov.-Elect Susana Martinez Receives Blessing From Archbishop
Hundreds of Las Crucens wished Governor-Elect Susana Martinez ‘good luck’ Thursday as she began her journey to Santa Fe as New Mexico’s first elected female governor. Friday evening Martinez received a similar message, this time, from Santa Fe’s Archbishop.
At the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Martinez received the special Catholic blessing, just hours before taking office.
Church bells rang for Martinez as she arrived at the Cathedral. With her husband, or First Gentleman, Chuck Franco by her side, Martinez was greeted and blessed by Archbishop Michael Sheehan as she entered the church for a private ceremony.
Combining American with Hispanic and Native American cultures, the service honored New Mexico’s traditions, while blessing Martinez with God’s grace to lead the State in a new direction.
“It’s very,very exciting for us; we’re just thrilled to be a part of this,” Louis Taylor, sister of Lieutenant Governor-Elect John Sanchez, said. “We’re just very happy to be here, to celebrate with her…beautiful service.”
A mass those closest to her say was as inspirational as Martinez becoming the state’s first elected woman governor.
“Awe-inspiring is really the word I think of,” Susan Riedel, Chief Deputy District Attorney of Dona Ana County, said. “She just amazes me, continues to amaze me; I’m sure she’s going to do a wonderful job. I’m so proud of her.”
Martinez rings in the 2011 New Year with her new leadership role at the strike of midnight, followed by her official inauguration. Stay with ABC-7 for complete coverage from Santa Fe.
