During the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, the festivities in honor of San Antonio were suspended to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
After three years of suspension due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the inhabitants of San Cristóbal de Las Casas are preparing to celebrate the traditional festival in honor of the image of San Antonio de Padua, located in the south-west neighborhood of the same name. The event, which will take place on June 13, attracts many parishioners who come to the church to venerate San Antonio and participate in various religious activities.
During the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, the festivities in honor of San Antonio were suspended to prevent the spread of the virus. However, at the end of 2022, the temple reopened its doors and the faithful began to attend daily masses. Now, in the year 2023, the festivities of the neighborhood are resumed with matins, music and the sale of Ponche con Pox since the previous Sunday.
Inside the church, parishioners can carry out different religious activities such as First Communion, Baptisms, Confirmations and Weddings. In addition, they will have the opportunity to touch the image of San Antonio and plead for peace in their families, for harmony in their relationships and for the resolution of their problems. This tradition, which is over 100 years old, has been considered miraculous by many and has attracted a large number of believers.
“San Antoñito is very miraculous, many people come here to the church to ask that love, marriages, courtships work well. Some say that it has worked for them, that’s why many people arrive at their party with their candles, and bouquets of flowers, while the priest gives them holy water,” said Antonia Pérez, a devotee of the saint.
In addition to his popularity in requests related to love and personal relationships, San Antonio is also known as the patron saint of masons, stationers, travelers and the poor. Many of the faithful who have an image of San Antonio in their homes place it upside down as an act of devotion to solve love problems and find lost objects.
The temple of San Antonio in San Cristóbal de Las Casas was founded by Franciscan friars at the end of the 16th century and beginning of the 17th century. During the festivity of June 13, visitors have the opportunity to drink the holy water from the image of San Antonio and experience the devotion of the community.
A curious fact is that during the traditional neighborhood festival, every June 13, torrential rain usually falls in the afternoon and evening, while dozens of rockets are burned outside and musical groups are heard, framing the festivity with a festive and religious atmosphere.
Source: El Heraldo de Chiapas
