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Annual Celebrations Honoring
Saint Isidro Labrador

Saint Isidro Labrador:
Patron of Xcalacoop
Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

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    During Mexico's Colonial Era, all native people were forced to abandon their original religious believes in favor to Catholicism; a religion that promotes praying for personal requests to God through the intercession of saints, calling to mind Job 42:8.

     In Yucatan, the Spaniards bestowed a patron saint to each Hacienda. San Isidro Labrador was declared the patron saint of Hacienda Chichen by Francisco de Montejo in the 16^th Century; Saint Isidro Labrador was chosen because he is the patron saint of Madrid, Spain, the native city of conquistador Montejo.  

     Since then, prayers to San Isidro Labrador have spread among the Maya people living nearby the Hacienda Chichen; especial devotion to this saint increased through the years, mainly because Saint Isidro (died May 15, 1772)  was himself a humble virtuous farmer, who had great faith and union with God.  His virtuous living is an example of faith, honor, discipline, respect, and love for God among the Maya farmers of this region, who every year on May 15th they gather in the small Colonial Church of Hacienda Chichen to honor and celebrate their beloved Saint Isidro Labrador.  The annual festivities to the saint include a Catholic mass, follow by a big dinner party for the many community families and workers; cochinita pibil tacos, soft drinks and traditional coconut sweets are served after the children brake large colorful piñatas in the Church's front yard.  Everyone is invited to participate and enjoy this traditional fiesta and celebration, so if you are in the vicinity of Chichen Itza on May 15 of any year, be sure to join in the fiesta and celebrations.

Saint Isidro Labrador's Brief History:

    Saint Isidro the Laborer was a Spanish farmer known for his goodness, hard work, kindness to animals and for his great love to God. He was in the service of the wealthy Madrid landowner Juan de Vargas, working on a farm near Madrid.

     According to the legend, St. Isidro was born in 1082 in the Christian family that lived in the small Madgerit city, which is now Madrid. When the boy grew old, he started doing peasant work for his landowner Juan de Vargas. At the same time, he revealed an unusual ability to find sources of drinking water, which made him popular all around the neighborhood and which combined with great devotion and kindness of a saint. Every morning before going to work, Isidro went to Mass at one of the churches in Madrid, then a small city called Madgerit.  One day, his fellow-laborers complained to their master that Isidro was always late for work in the morning; upon investigation, so runs the legend, the master found that indeed, Isidro kept coming late to work; even found him in numerous times at prayer instead of working the fields. To the amazement of his master, while Isidro prayed, angels were doing the work for him; thus, ending his labor in less time that his fellow farmers.  Saint Isidro is known to have performed miracles such as bringing back to life his master's deceased daughter, and making a fountain of fresh water to burst from the dry earth in order to quench his master's thirst.

     St. Isidro lived a long life till 90, during which a lot of goodness was done. In 1172 he was buried in the Church of St. Andrew, not far from his home, and from this time people were coming here to pray not only to St. Andrew, but also to St. Isidro. Little by little, he became one of the most esteemed Madrid saints and in XVI century there was a chapel built on the place where St. Isidro revealed the spring.

     In 1619 St. Isidro was officially canonized and was named the patron of Madrid. Since then a Catholic holiday was declared for Saint Isidro Labrador on May 15^th of each year. Madrid’s Plaza Mayor still holds a mayor religious festival to celebrate San Isidro Labrador with processions, dances and masquerades honoring Saint Isidro; this tradition is also found in other small and large cities in Spain and Latin-America.  In the small Maya town of Xcalacoop the community is very devoted to Saint Isidro Labrador, relating to his humble farming background, his love for God, animals and nature.  Each year, the main plaza is dressed up with fiesta decor and a small fair enchants both old and young with games, music, and traditional churros, and Maya chocolate drinks. As mentioned before, at Hacienda Chichen, Chichen-Itza, Yucatan, Mexico, the Maya people gather each year to celebrate their Patron Saint Isidro Labrador on May 15^th with a community grand fiesta including a Catholic mass, traditional procession of their saint’s Colonial sculpture, regional cochinita tacos and tortas, piñatas for the children and live music.  This year’s celebration was a joyful occasion to all participants, the staff organized a truly wonderful Fiesta and invited the nearby communities families as well. Also, Hacienda Chichen owners brought colorful “sabucanes” (typical re-usable market bags) as gifts to each of the 70 workers’ families, each bag is filled with healthy produces oriented to help families have a nutritious meal; a token of love and support to the staff which to them are part of their own family.  Hugs, kisses, laugh and joy prevailed until sunset brought the festivities to an end.  Guests staying at Hacienda Chichen during May 15^th of each year, are invited to participate in this grand fiesta and enjoy the Colonial tradition still prevailing in the hearts of many Maya families today.

Submitted by Jorge Puerto
Photos courtesy of Cornelio Pech and Moreno Lopez
Maya Foundation In Laakeech A.C.
Volunteer Team

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May 2008