After two years of confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Municipal Government headed by Mauricio Trejo Pureco promoted the return of the tradition of the ‘Holy Burial’ in San Miguel.
.
With 309 years of tradition, the oldest religious celebration in San Miguel returned to the streets this year on Good Friday, where more than 500 participants, including women, men, and children, expressed their faith in this emblematic ritual of Holy Week, also known as “The Procession of Silence”.
“The procession returned to normal, it is the oldest in San Miguel de Allende. It counts with the participation of San Miguel society. Now it is not as elitist as it was at the time, many people participate… as a religious tradition it is very important and has many qualities and as a social phenomenon or even as a show. It continues to be one of the most solemn processions”, declared the director of Culture and Traditions, Acacio Martínez.
In an environment with the scent of chamomile, Mastranto, and fennel mixed with incense, the ‘Santo Entierro’ returned to the streets to relive the pilgrimage of the Virgen de la Soledad and Jesus.
This act has captivated families for generations and thousands of visitors too; some editions have been carried out inside the Oratory by the organizing board, these last two years as a preventive health measure against Covid-19 and at other times due to the religious persecution known in the history of Mexico as the “Cristero War”.
This tradition resumed its traditional tour of the Greater Circuit of the Oratory through the historic center, the ‘Santo Entierro’ left the temple of the Oratory, advanced through the streets Pepe Llanos, Mesones, Juárez, San Francisco, Plaza Principal Norte (in front of the Municipal Palace), and then back on Hidalgo, Mesones, Pepe Llanos, to return to the Oratory. Prayers are held during the tour.
It is common for the priests of the temple of the Oratory under a canopy (sacred loom that dresses the image of the Virgin of Soledad), distinguished personalities of the religious community and faithful to participate; in colonial times.
“This is a procession with a lot of flavor of the old San Miguel, to the original San Miguel. Of course, it preserves the images, the customs, the songs and then all of that makes for a very spatial image. In addition to what you see, and what you hear, there is a very special aroma, typical of that moment in San Miguel. It is totally unique,” added Martínez Rodríguez.
This ritual of veneration of the Lord of the Holy Burial is wrapped in a solemn atmosphere due to the silence and respect of the participants and spectators, in addition to the collection of traditional songs of the Oratorian priests, which have been performed by San Miguel musicians for almost its entire history. and some others by an orchestra from Valle de Santiago; this 2022 again the sacred music is in charge only by local musicians.
Similarly, Mauricio Trejo indicated to all service providers (terraces, restaurants, and bars) that are in the procession route to turn off their music to maintain the solemn and respectful atmosphere of this tradition.
San Miguel Times
Newsroom
