Annual
Celebrations Honoring
Saint Isidro Labrador
During Mexico's Colonial Era, all native people were forced to abandon their
original religious believes in favor to Catholicism, including the
Maya people; a religion that promotes
praying for personal requests to God through the intercession of saints, calling
to mind Job 42:8. Even today, the many Mayan communities celebrate their
spiritual traditions with a
great mixture of both: ancient
Maya Cosmovision and
mystism with Catholic dogma and saints.
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 16th Century; Saint Isidro
Labrador was chosen because he is the patron saint of Madrid in 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 Colonial Church of
Hacienda
Chichen to honor their beloved Saint Isidro Labrador. The
annual festivities to the saint include a Catholic mass, follow
by a big Fiesta and meal for many Mayan community families and
workers, delicious Mayan cooking: 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 all our
2015 traditional Mexican fiestas and celebrations, 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 15th
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
flora. 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 15th 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 15th 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 Moreno Lopez
Maya Foundation In Laakeech
A.C.
Volunteer Team
6th of
January
Colonial
Annual
Celebration:
ROSCA
DE REYES
Traditional
Fiesta at
Hacienda Chichen,
don't
miss
this
Colonial
traditional
food and
piñata
party
time if
you are
in
Chichen
Itza on
the
afternoon
of
January
6th.
Participate in
this open free Rosca
bread and Mayan hot chocolate
at the Hacienda
Chichen, who has
launched a fun Colonial Mexican Traditional
agenda as part of
this unique
green boutique
hotel's dedication to share
Mexico's Culture, fiestas and traditions with
guests and
visitors.
Contact us
for further
details and
registration; we
highly recommend
you to stay at this
unique Green Boutique Spa-Hotel, contact their Reservation Center,
call:
HACIENDA
CHICHEN
RESORT
RESERVATIONS
From Canada, Europe and USA Toll Free: 1-(877)-631-4005
From Mexico: 52 (999) 920 84 08
Email :
info@haciendachichen.com
Website:
www.haciendachichen.com
14th of February Colonial Annual Celebration:
CHOCOLATE
FIESTA a
St.
Valentine's
Day
annual
Celebration
Feb. 14th at
Hacienda Chichen,
Enjoy this
Colonial
traditional
Chocolate fiesta
celebrated
on St.
Valentines'
Day in
Chichen
Itza,
Yucatan,
Mexico.
Participate in
this open free Mayan chocolate
fair and
St.
Valentine's
Day
Event at the Hacienda
Chichen,
with a Colonial Mexican Traditional
party as part of
this unique
green boutique
hotel's dedication to share
Mexico's Culture, fiestas and traditions with
guests and
visitors.
Contact us
for
further
details
and
registration;
we
highly
recommend
you to
stay at
this
unique
Green
Boutique
Spa-Hotel,
contact
their
Reservation
Center:
From Canada, Europe and USA Toll Free: 1-(877)-631-4005
From Mexico: 52 (999) 920 84 08
Email :
info@haciendachichen.com
Website:
www.haciendachichen.com
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