2024-01-07 00:43:53
One week before the celebration of the Miraculous Lord of Esquipulas, the “Central American Capital of Faith” has begun to receive hundreds of faithful Catholics who come every year from different places to venerate the image of the Black Christ.
From the entrance to the gardens of the Basilica to the temple, you can see families from the province and abroad walk with typical hats, candles, and candles, which will be lit for a special request or blessed to carry as a memory and protection.
Although, at the moment the presence of travelers is lower than in other years, The flow of pilgrims is expected to increase in the coming days.
Praying with devotion for a miracle
The Black Christ is the intercessor that the pilgrims have to ask God for a miracle in their lives.
Sandra Patricia González is a resident of Jutiapa who traveled with her family last Friday to thank the Black Christ for the miracle he recently performed with his daughter.
In his story he says that he did not have the financial resources to buy the school supplies that your daughter would need in 2024, so he decided through prayer to “ask the Black Christ for a miracle.”
“My daughter told me: ‘Mom, I don’t have the money for my notebooks,’ and I told her: ‘daughter, let us ask the Lord of Esquipulas and you will see that everything will turn out well for us.’”
He adds that minutes later a sister gave him money, not only for school supplies, but to also visit the Black Christ.
Meanwhile, Juana Ortiz Jacinto, a resident of Salamá, Baja Verapaz, arrived at the Basilica to thank the health that the Black Christ has given her and her family.
“Four years ago my sister’s leg was amputated; and there it is thanks to Black Christ that we have always had devotion to. “I had cancer and, thank God, I can tell it.”
How are you, There are hundreds of stories focused on faith that parishioners share with those in this religious month in which they arrive to Esquipulas with devotion.
religious activities
The veneration of the Black Christ is framed in a series of religious activities that begin since this weekend, where the Garifuna community will come for the pilgrimage.
On Sunday the 7th, at 7 p.m., formal events will take place in the atrium of the Basilica, and on Monday the 8th, at 6:30 a.m. there will be a Holy Mass with the Garifuna community, after a procession from the Basilica to the Poza de Los Cueros, where a ritual will be performed in the company of the mayor of the municipality, priests and other religious members.
The same day Delegations from Honduras and El Salvador begin to enter.
A family places candles in the image of the Lord of Esquipulas. (Free Press Photo: Mayra Sosa)
On Tuesday the 9th, pilgrims with the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, They leave on a walk from Metapán, El Salvador towards the Central American Capital of Faith; and at 9 p.m. the Basilica has prepared a pilgrimage mass for them.
The renowned Cabalgata del Tío Tin, coming from Jutiapa, will arrive in Esquipulas on Thursday the 11th. On Friday the 12th, the members of this group and the pilgrims from Metapán sThey gather to celebrate the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
For Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th, the arrival of the traditional ones is expected. pilgrimages from Guatemala and abroad; In addition, dozens of parishioners will camp in front of the Black Christ chapel prior to the Serenade at night and early morning on January 14 and January 15, respectively.
They issue recommendations
Throughout the gardens of the holy place there are signs that call visitors to take into account some recommendations:
The consumption of alcoholic beverages is not allowed, narcotics, or cigarettes. They must be taken care of the green areas.
Not allowed the ball game.
The park It’s not a place for dates. (couples are asked to behave respectfully) On the planter cables sitting is not allowed.
Informal vendors cannot enter to offer their products.
Requesting financial assistance from pilgrims in the park is not allowed.
Who offers motorcycle taxi service They cannot do so within the perimeter of the park.
On the perimeter of the park Bicycles or similar vehicles are not allowed.
Flying personal drones is not allowed, Only institutional ones are authorized.
Take care of belongings.
To enter At holy masses it is recommended:
place your phone in silent mode.
Avoid the entry of toys.
Do not allow pets.
Do not eat drinks or food.
Keep an atmosphere of silence.
Use the right wardrobe.
No Smoking.
Do not bring weapons.
Take care of belongings.
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