All about Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Mérida

Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (San Cristobal Church) in all its architectural beauty is the focal point of the San Cristóbal neighborhood a little east of the historic city center.

Directly opposite and separated from the church by Calle 50 is the small Parque de San Cristóbal. The church, dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, was inaugurated on Holy Thursday in 1797.

In Mexico and many other places around the world, the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe is celebrated every year on December 12. Every December, pilgrims from all over southeastern Mexico come here to celebrate the the the Day of Guadalupe (Dia de Guadalupe).

Who was Lady of Guadalupe?

Our Lady of Guadalupe holds a special place in the religious life of Mexico’s faithful. It is a Catholic name for Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is associated with a series of five Marian apparitions by a Mexican farmer named Juan Diego.

According to the Roman Catholic Church, in 1531, she appeared to Juan Diego, an early indigenous convert to Catholicism. As well, her image has played an important role as a national symbol of the country. In Spanish, she is called Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.

Pilgrimage

Each year, at the Church of San Cristóbal, tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the state arrive to show their devotion and offer their thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe. Starting a week before the feast day along all the roads leading to Mérida, Antorchistas came to San Cristóbal’s church.

When they finally arrive, they are exhausted but euphoric having affirmed their devotion to the faith that sustains them through hardship. Some have a short route, while others came from far away in central Mexico. To watch or participate in the festivities of the Dia de Guadalupe, bring flowers or candles to one of the many altars.

Image Source: ©Christian Rigel Gonzalez Romero, wikimedia, CC BY 3.0, Link

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