Alfareros: The Grammy Born of Faith
Alfareros
Prayer to Our Lady of Altagracia
To the rhythms of merengue, ballads and Latin pop, the Catholic band Alfareros has touched the hearts of thousands with the word of God. Their musical journey, anchored in faith, spans more than two decades on stage and has earned them a Latin Grammy.
The story of Alfareros begins in the San Pablo Parish in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Friends who sang together in the church choir united to celebrate the Eucharist of Corpus Christi with Catholic songs infused with tropical melodies. This celebration was the seed of what has grown into one of the most recognized groups in Catholic music.
Prayer to Our Lady of Altagracia
Alfareros' musical repertoire is characterized by a fusion of Latin rhythms. Their lyrics emerge from moments of prayer and discernment, conveying messages of faith. With five vocalists and eight studio albums, their crowning achievement came with the Latin Grammy for Best Christian Album in Spanish, awarded for "70 veces 7," a collection of songs that invite reflection on forgiveness.
"It was the first Hispanic Catholic album to win a Latin Grammy, and it was a blessing. When I found out that we were nominated, it brought tears to my eyes," says Junior Cabrera, the band’s producer.
This recognition not only honored their musical talent but created new opportunities for some members. Thanks to the Grammy, Junior and Altermio Vargas, one of the original vocalists, immigrated to the United States under a special visa for individuals with extraordinary abilities in the arts. Later, Felina Tejada, a female singer in the band, also relocated to the United States. By moving, both Junior and Felina bolstered their spiritual mission and expanded opportunities to share their music with the Hispanic community in the United States.
Faith and Catholic music have been essential to Alfareros’ members since their childhood. Junior, who lives in Florida, recalls how his passion for both was ignited by his devout grandmother, who dedicated herself to serving in her church. She nurtured Junior's faith from an early age by taking him to Sunday Mass and involving him in the church choir. Singing to God every week not only deepened his faith, but sparked his love of music.
Similarly, Altermio, now in Texas, showed his love for music from a young age, choosing instruments over toys. Even before he could speak, he was already humming tunes. His innate musical talent led him to serve in church choirs and later, to become a founding member of Alfareros
Felina, who lives in in New Jersey, comes from a family deeply rooted in music, and her fascination for singing began in childhood. Her spiritual journey started with a miracle: during her mother’s challenging pregnancy, Felina consecrated to Our Lady of Altagracia.
Despite initial medical concerns and a discouraging prognosis, Felina was born on January 21, coinciding with this feast day of the Virgin. "I owe my life to a miracle from the Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary," Felina reflects gratefully.
This year, Alfareros released their eighth album, "Oveja de Tu Prado," or “Sheep from Your Meadow” in English. Junior describes this album as their most exemplary work. Featuring renowned international musicians, it reflects the faith journey of its members.
Now, with half of the musical group based in the United States, Alfareros continues to meet every Tuesday to pray and envision their future. They are aware that their faith and dedication are foundational to their legacy.
"Faith is our support; it sustains us. It is like having the hand of the Lord tightly clenched by our side; it is our hope," says Junior.
