Amid faith and devotion, thousands of San Miguel residents welcomed the Lord of the Column, who has arrived in the San Juan de Dios neighborhood for more than 200 years from the Sanctuary of Jesus of Nazareth in Atotonilco.
From Independencia Avenue to the temple, which year after year receives the holy images of the Lord of the Column, the Virgin, and John the Apostle, devotees decorate the pilgrimage route with sawdust carpets, balloons, and colored paper.
The procession leaves the Atotonilco Sanctuary.
At midnight, the procession leaves the Atotonilco Sanctuary with the three images carefully covered with silk scarves and cloth to protect them from the elements. Along the route, which covers more than 12 kilometers, thousands of pilgrims follow the path of faith marked by decorated arches at some stops, amidst songs and prayers. At 3:00 a.m., they arrive at the Church of the Cruz del Perdón, where the first Mass of the day is held. Hundreds more pilgrims join them. After the Eucharistic celebration, they continue their journey to reach Independencia Avenue, where hundreds more people await their arrival and offer bread and coffee to the pilgrims.
Amidst music, prayers, and songs, the images are unveiled.
At this point, the climax of the celebration arrives. Amidst music, prayers, and songs, the images are unveiled, set against the backdrop of the sunrise, before continuing on their way to the Church of San Juan de Dios, where they will reside until Easter Wednesday.
At dawn, and in front of an excited crowd, the image of the Lord of the Column was received in the church atrium amid applause and traditional praise, while the jubilee bell rang, a symbol that has resonated loudly only since last year. Afterward, the Bishop of the Diocese of Celaya, Monsignor Víctor Alejandro Aguilar Ledezma, presided over the solemn Mass.
Background to the tradition of Our Lord of the Column
Since 1823, this sacred image has visited the city of San Miguel el Grande, now San Miguel de Allende, when a miracle was expected due to a pandemic sweeping the city. Since then, the image has made a pilgrimage from the shrine of Jesus of Nazareth to the temple of San Juan de Dios in the early morning of the fifth Sunday of Lent.
San Miguel faithful gather at the Sanctuary days before the procession to bring the scarves that will cover the images. These scarves are sometimes exchanged for blessed ones used in past processions.
Information about this celebration
This year, an estimated 11,000 people participated in the pilgrimage. 50,000 devotees are expected to visit the Lord of the Column during his stay at the Temple of San Juan de Dios.
Source: periodicocorreo
