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Pilgrimages in Merida

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Last weekend, the celebration of the Virgen of Guadalupe took place throughout Mexico. The Virgin of Guadalupe is celebrated as the patron saint of Mexico. Her story is one of the "mestizaje" the mixing of Spanish and native cultures. The Virgin of Guadalupe was first seen in a miraculous apparition by a native, Juan Diego, just outside Mexico City in the year 1531. She appeared in front of him, spoke to him in his native language, and asked for a shrine to be built in her honor at the site of her apparition.
Some of our students with a group of "Guadalupanos" who had just arrived at the shrine of Guadalupe.

The miracle of her apparition took place amidst the Spanish conquest of Mexico. The Virgin, although a Catholic figure, did not speak Spanish, but instead the language of the natives. She represents the combining of both cultures. Today she is celebrated as one of the most important figures in Mexican Catholicism, there are shrines dedicated to her all over the country, including in Merida.
Petra learning from the locals.


The Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe takes place around the anniversary of her appearance, December 12th. For nine days leading up to this date there are "novenas", parties in her honor, each night in which families gather together to sing hymns, pray, and of course eat! There are also many pilgrimages that take place in which groups of "guadalupanos", pilgrims, will travel by foot or bike from their homes to the nearest shrine of the virgin. The pilgrimages can take hours or weeks, but the practice of doing so is an expression of faith and gratitude to the virgin.
Maxim interviewing pilgrims.


During the week our students participated in "novenas" with their families, witnessed, and participated in pilgrimages. We got to chat among some of the pilgrims to learn about their experiences.

Ella and Thomas chat with the locals. 
Catholicism in Mexico defines a large part of the religious culture: interacting with it and learning about it is an important part of immersing ourselves in the culture. Next week we'll be seeing even more celebrations of catholicism for Navidad!
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