Thursday, January 01, 2009

Another Thing I Don't Understand

I don't understand so many of the things that happen on our street. Take for instance last night.

Ned and I decided to stay in for New Year's Eve because we have been gone and just wanted to hang out at home. About 5:30 I looked out the kitchen window and saw that everyone was decorating their house with yellow and white streamers and balloons. All the ladies were washing the sidewalk in front of their house and then sprinkling water over the street to settle the dust.

Ned went into his investigative mode. First he asked the Cervantes daughter what was happening. He thought she said that the sandito was coming by "ahorita." We couldn't find sandito in the dictionary or santito either. But whatever it was was coming by "ahorita" or soon. I was just starting cena so I stopped and went and got the camera. Nothing was happening in the street but the neighbors were standing around in their doorways looking down the street or finishing up their decorations.

Ned went out again. He asked the sweet old lady across the street what was happening. She told him a procession from our San Antonio church was coming by at 6:00 PM. He asked her if this procession came every year. We didn't know because we are usually gone on New Year's Eve. She told him sometimes yes, sometimes no. He came back to the house and we waited a little longer for something to happen.

Ned saw Olga, the next door neighbor putting up decorations so he went and asked her what was happening. She said a procession from the church would come by at 6:30.
We went out on the street and I had the camera. By now the light is really getting low and people are turning on their outside Christmas lights.At one house down the street this beautiful altar is set up and the family keeps going to the corner looking up Vergel to see if the procession is approaching. Finally a little after 7:00 the procession arrives at the bottom of our street. It is a full dress procession with lots of altar boys, incense and two priests.There is a short ceremony at the altar on our street and then they come on up the street. As soon as the procession has passed by, everyone takes down their decorations and the street is quiet again. It is over and I still don't know what it was all about.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

This sound like the vigil for one of my favorite Catholic holidays from long ago - the Feast of the Circumcision on Jan. 1. It is the Jewish bris or naming ceremony when Jesus received his name.

The yellow and white I don't know about...

Bill O.

Anonymous said...

Accoridng to a Catholic webpage, if you say a special prayer, the "Te Deum", on Dec. 31 for the benefit of the pope, you get a plenary indulgence (all your sins and punishments are wiped out). Yellow and White are the pope's colors. Maybe that was what was going on - or maybe not.

Bill O.

Unknown said...

Billie, tell Ned I know what is all this about. It is the procession of the relics of San Antonio de Padua to the Provincia de San Pedro y San Pablo de Michoacán. Yes!!! The originals from Padova, Italia. The franciscan friars brought them to México. They won't be in San Miguel for long. It came from Querétaro and will be in the templo de San Anotonio de Padua until january dthe 2nd. Then, it will continue to Juventino Rosas, Irapuato, Celaya, Irapuato, Silao, León, Salvatierra, Acámbaro, etc. Enjoy it's visit, if I was there, will certainly go. Of course, I am catholic. God and San Antonio bless San Miguel and all sanmiguelenses, includying animals and pets.

1st Mate said...

I think the yellow might be for prosperity in the New Year, and maybe the white is for purity but I'm not sure. You live in such an interesting place, look what happens right outside your window!

Billie Mercer said...

I read Alfredo's explanation first and said GOOD. That is what was happening but Billo puts out some possibilities too. Still I think Alfredo may be right because I could just sense that it was something special to our Colonia San Antonio church and not something that was observed through out the town.

And Lady Blue, you are right, we do have an interesting street. There is always something happening.

Steve Cotton said...

Billie - I also find it interesting what your neighbors consider to be important. With all of the Christmas lights on my street, I doubt that a single person would consider them an invitation for others to join in worship.

Frankly Ronda said...

What a great story and experience ... the pictures and descriptions are very nice.

Anonymous said...

We walked up your street earlier in the evening to visit friends on San Jorge. I was commenting on all the yellow and white decorations, and we stopped to look at the altar, which was spewing smoke from incense I think. We must practically be neighbors! We are on Alameda close to Vergel. Hope to meet you one day soon!