Corpus Christi, More Than Eva Longoria’s Texan Home Town
Corpus Christi falls on Thursday, June 20th and you can expect to see altars and processions around town. The main procession starts at 6PM from the Parroquia and returning after sunset. I enjoy participating in this ceremony to witness the joy folks feel when the image of Christ comes by.
The feast of Corpus Christi (body and blood of Christ) is a special veneration of symbolic body and blood of Christ in communion wafers and wine.
The indigenous were intrigued not only by the notion of a single god (as compared to their many) but that the Catholic god was so loving he offered you his body and blood for consumption instead of requiring animal, or human, sacrifices.
An important fiesta in the 1800s, Corpus Christi was a procession for the Spanish joining the clergy of the Parroquia, Oratorio and San Francisco under a single canopy of lace and velvet lined with 12 candles. They would visit the homes of the leading Spanish families (Lambarri, Sauto, de la Canal and Allende) to view their home altars, say mass and enjoy a meal.
This act became known as the mid-day Procession of the Candle with upper balconie in centro spreading cloth to protect the crowd from the sun. (The large rolls of fabric were later used during the Revolution for bandages, blankets and shirts thus ending this custom).
The streets of Correo, San Francisco, Reloj, Mesones and Hidalgo were lined with candles and until 1857, this area was identified as the Candle of Corpus Christi.
Groups associated with the three churches found here would join the parade in their best clothing while clutching candles to view the home altars featuring silver candelabras, silk curtains, flowers and incense. While visiting the homes children received small bags of brightly colored candy from the homeowner.
Over the centuries the traditions have changed but the manner of celebrating the day is still distinct. You can still view magnificently decorated altars with the Eucharistic and bible scenes while the children enjoy sweets.
Cerebrated on Corpus Christi is Mules’ Day, associated with pre-Hispanic rituals in which people gave thanks to deities through offerings. It is believed that a mule knelt in reverence to God during a Corpus Christi procession because even an animal used for manual labor knows when God is around.
To give or receive a toy mule is considered a friendly joke today and why we sell hand crafted mules in San Miguel.
In addition, people with the name “Manuel” or “Manuela” celebrate their saint this same day.
by Joseph Toone
Joseph Toone is the Historical Society’s short-story award winning author of the SMA Secrets book series. All books in the series are Amazon bestsellers in Mexican Travel and Holidays. Toone is SMA’s expert and TripAdvisor’s top ranked historical tour guide telling the stories behind what we do in today’s SMA. Visit HistoryAndCultureWalkingTours.com, and JosephTooneTours.com.
