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Hi!, welcome to the third edition of news from Chiapas. This section will be updated at least twice a month, so come back again soon to get the latest information.
December 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebrations
"Last Sunday, December 12 was celebrated in all of Mexico the day of Our Lady of Guadalupe Aparitions on the Tepeyac Hill (Mexico City) of 1531. This time was also a very special ocassion since Pope John Paul II ordered that the Day was to be celebrated not only in Mexico but in all countries of America as a Liturgic celebration.
On this day, in every corner of Mexico there are huge celebrations, and here in Tuxtla, we were not the exception. In Tuxtla there is the Parroquia de Guadalupe (the Parish of Guadalupe), and from all the municipalities of Chiapas they come to visit Her. One of the most important pilgrimages in Tuxtla is the one coming from Villa Flores. The pilgrims depart from Villa Flores City the day before they walk all day and night in order to arrive at noon to Tuxtla and offer this sacrifice to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Most walk on their bare feet and without eating. They hope the Virgin helps them to solve their problems. This pilgrimage is formed by approximately 3000 people and the women are dressed in gray skirt, a white blouse and everyone weares a red handkerchief in their heads. Hence the name these pilgrims receive: "los del pañuelo rojo", "the ones with the red handkerchief".
But some pilgrimages began even 12 days earlier, this is called the "docenario" (the dozen). All the families, businessmen, local businesses, etc make a pilgrimage to see the Virgin of Guadalupe. Often, leading the pilgrimage the
parachicos
go dancing, these are men wearing a mask made of wood and a yellowish wig and dressed with multicolor
sarapes
. The cars are decorated with balloons and china paper.
This year the Parish of Guadalupe hosted 450 pilgrimages, this shows the great faith that the people of Mexico has to his Queen: The Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe."
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Edition 1
Edition 2
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