If there is one thing that characterizes the town of San Miguel de Allende, it is the spirit of the people to not do half-measures; that is to say, if we are going to do something, we do it in the fullest sense of the word and the Easter celebrations could not be the exception. Something very important that must be said is that many of the religious celebrations that take place these days in San Miguel, have their origin in the temple of the Oratory, founded in 1712, by Father Antonio Pérez.
Beyond the religious motives, it is worth attending these events for the performative character that they have, with the participation of local talent.
Say no more and start preparing those tennis shoes that you had reserved for a good occasion and Live this experience of worship and religion, take your camera (or cell phone) in hand to capture the details that make this tradition so unique; Here is our 2022 guide:
Wednesday, April 13
4pm Public Ancient Way of the Cross
Minor circuit of the Oratory (leaves the Temple of the Oratory and travels through central streets using the quarry niches as stations to return to the Oratory)
“The Way of the Cross” better known as the Via Crucis is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Holy Week. This magical realism representation produces anything but indifference given its high level of symbolism when emulating in the flesh the story that everyone already knows.
Thursday, April 14
Visit the 7 temples
Where in each church a chapter of the last hours of Jesus will be represented. Imagine it as an interactive night play divided into 7 scenes and locations starting from the Last Supper and ending with the arrival at Mount Calvary where he dies on the cross and is resurrected on the third day.
Friday, April 15th
5am Bringing of the Holy Cross
From the Sanctuary of Atotonilco to the Parish of San Miguel de Allende
8am Procession of Our Divine Master Jesus of Nazareth (Known as Holy Encounter)
It leaves the Parish Temple through Correo, Corregidora and San Francisco and Plaza Principal.
10am Sentence and Via Crucis
Streets surrounding the Temple of the Oratory.
6pm Holy Burial
Major Circuit of the Oratory (It leaves the Temple of the Oratory through the streets Pepe Llanos, Mesones, Juárez, San Francisco, Plaza Principal, Hidalgo, Mesones and returns to the Temple of the Oratory)
The “Santo Entierro”, one of the most beautiful traditions of Good Friday in San Miguel de Allende.
With more than 306 years of history in SMA. Children dressed as angels participate, dropping chamomile flowers as they pass by to welcome the images; men dressed as Jews, It is undeniable the great cultural legacy that the Spanish have left in our lifestyle, so on this day the dress code for women is to wear their best Spanish attire such as dresses, stockings, scarves, mantillas and combs. On the other hand, men wear their black gala suits to represent the mourning; they carry the urn image of Christ, the image of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, Mary Magdalene, as well as the Archangels, accompanied by music composed at the end of the 19th century, performed by a symphony orchestra together with the choir of the Oratory of San Felipe Neri under the direction of Director Josué Martinez Morin.
7pm Silent Procession
Streets surrounding the Parish of San Antonio.
Saturday, April 16
9am Blessing of the New Fire and Procession with the Paschal Syr
Sunday, April 17
12pm Burning of Judas
Before finishing these lines, we would like to thank Tourism in San Miguel de Allende for sharing the information above with us as well as inviting you to visit their FB: @turismoSMA if you have any questions or find out about more events. If digital is not your thing, you can simply take a few steps in front of the Garden to meet them live and in person.
Give yourself the opportunity to enjoy this traditional procession with the magical focus that only San Miguel de Allende is capable of giving it.
