In the month of October, we celebrate the fiesta of the Virgen del Rosario, in the chapel facing the Plaza of Ajijic, which bears the same name. Every morning in October, people gather in different neighborhoods to start the procession honoring Her, which begins at 5:30 am, arriving at the church in time for the 6 am mass.
On the 30th of October, is the Feast Day of the Virgen; there is an early mass with mariachis and a procession, which leaves along Ocampo and returns by Hidalgo. Following the 7 am service, the icon of the Virgen is returned to her chapel, which was built in 1531.
The story goes that a woman named Sicancia commissioned the chapel to be built, as there was no suitable place of worship in the pueblo for many years. The Franciscans celebrated mass in el cerro colorado above la Canacinta. Spanish monks had brought the image of the Virgen from Spain, and when Sicancia had the temple built, it became her resting place. Over the years it has been remodeled many times. Still, it is one of the oldest existing churches in the area.
November 2nd
Day of the Dead
On November 2nd, we celebrate the Day of the Dead, a very Mexican tradition. Altars are raised to honor family members who have passed on, adorned with Chrysanthemums (orange) and crepe paper cut out in the forms of skulls, skeletons, candles. Typically, an offering of the deceased's favorite foods is prepared and set on the altar. It's believed that their spirit will come at night and partake.
In the plaza, Sr. Eduardo Ramos and a group of volunteers construct the largest altar in the pueblo. As well, artists erect their altars in la Casa de la Cultura, and anyone wishing to admire their efforts is invited to stop by.
The cemetery (el panteon) is also a site of celebrations. Altars are set up before family plots and tombs, covered in flowers, crowns, and candles, which make a striking display.
At 6 pm, a mass is celebrated right in the cemetery itself.
Following the mass, a procession makes its way to el Santuario de Guadalupe, located one block from the Six Corners on Ocampo, carrying el Santo Entierro, which is an icon of Jesus lowered from the cross, housed in a glass case.
It's beautiful how the cemetery is lit at night with candles and revelers. Many confuse the Day of the Dead with Halloween, but they are not at all the same. In Mexico, the customs and traditions are distinct from those in North America. We honor the memory of our dearly departed, and by reminding ourselves of our own mortality, use this holiday to celebrate life. Death is a natural, venerable, and inevitable state. Wouldn't you rather eat a candied skull and smile at your fate, than look for ghosts and vampires? Come out and celebrate the Mexican Day of the Dead, which is crucial in understanding the important differences in our cultural outlooks.
