Tag Archives: holidays in Mexico

June 1, 2022 · 6:30 am

Día del Padre In Central and South America

In Mexico, Father’s Day (Día del Padre) is observed on the third Sunday of June, just like the neighbor to the north, the U.S. Other countries don’t move the date around and celebrate it on June 17th, no matter which day of the week it falls. Most countries in Central and South America follow the U.S.’s lead with the date, but there are some notable exceptions.

La República Dominicana coordinates Father’s Day with El Dia de San Joaquín, observed on the 26th of July. Brazil’s Father’s Day is later, observed on the second Sunday in August, but the choice of date is again related to St. Joachim. August 16th is the feast day for this venerable saint. According to Catholic tradition, Joaquín (or Joachim) was Mary’s father and, therefore, the grandfather of Jesús. He’s since been awarded patron saint status overseeing both fathers and grandfathers on their special day.

Bolivia and Honduras go with el día de San José on March 19, as does Spain. José, although not the biological father of el Niño Jesús according to biblical records, nonetheless did the right thing by María and raised her son as his own. Thus, choosing this day is a nod to those who man up and raise children they may not be related to.

Nicaragua celebrates Día del Padre on July 23rd with the auspicious title Día del Padre Nicaragüense. Uruguay celebrates a bit earlier in the month. There, Día del Padre is observed on the second Sunday in July, the beginning of winter break.

As I’ve mentioned before, in Mexico, Día del Padre is not a huge event like Mother’s Day. However, typically there is a school event that dads are invited to since school is still in session. This event tends to be a bit more hands-on than the presentations and bailes tradicionales (traditional dances) mom gets to enjoy. There are often races and impromptu fútbol (soccer) games.

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The price of a piece of cake

On January 7, El Dia de los Reyes Magos, we had a little get-together at our place to partake the Rosca de Reyes (King’s cake). Both my son and I were “fortunate” to find El Niño Dios (the plastic baby Jesus) in our sections. This meant we would be honorary godparents for the presentation of Jesus at the temple on February 2, el Dia de la Candelaria. This is the day that everyone takes their baby Jesus figurine from the nativity scene to be blessed at church.

As godparents, we would be in charge of the mandatory tamales and atole.

Well, there was nothing to it, but get to it.

The same people that gathered for the Rosca were again invited to our home for the tamales. Thus ends the Christmas season in Mexico, finally. Time to start gearing up for cuaresma (Lent) which begins on March 6 this year.

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Do you want to learn more about Mexican holidays and traditions?

Then check out A Woman’s Survival Guide to Holidays in Mexico!

12 days of Guadalupe on Instagram

Jill Douglas set our little SOTB Bloggers group a challenge this month, to find and share 12 images of the Virgen de Guadalupe on Instagram.

You might wonder why I participated since I’m not Catholic, nor Mexican, and the iconic image doesn’t inspire a spiritual connection to either the Virgin Mary or Tonantzin in me. However, I can appreciate good artwork when I see it, whatever its theme. After all, historically, artists made their bread and butter from murals, statues, and paintings commissioned by the church. For example, Da Vinci created the religious masterpiece The Last Supper and was not what was considered an orthodox Christian and Michelangelo who painted the glorious Sistine Chapel was condemned by the Pope for his religious beliefs.

Be that as it may, I accepted the challenge and set off in search of La Virgen. The nearest town, Moroleon has whitewashed nearly all religious drawings with the exception of the churches themselves. As I wanted to capture a people’s version of La Virgen, I wasn’t interested in tromping into churches to snap pictures there. So my husband took me to Uriangato, which as you know has a different feel altogether. (Uriangato, Fogatas, tapetes and San Miguel Arcangel) Sure enough, nearly every corner had a shrine in honor of La Virgen de Guadalupe and I could take my pick.

It was evident that each mural was lovingly maintained. Flowers and plants were well-kept. The image was often covered by a roof or had evidence of periodic touching up. And the artwork was good, very good. Some murals only depicted her Majesty, Nuestra Señora la Reina de Mexico, herself. Others included Juan Diego, who was the first to speak with the apparition way back in 1531. Still others included a crucified Jesus or a prayer asking for the Protectress’s blessing.

Here is a composite of the 12 pictures I shared on Instagram leading up to today, el Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, which the feast day that kicks off the holiday season known as Guadalupe-Reyes Maraton here in Mexico.

If you enjoyed these pictures, check out the #12daysofguadalupe participants below:

My Life Craft-n-Dab

Jill Michelle Douglas

Surviving Mexico

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Would you like to learn more about La Virgen de Guadalupe?

Check out my comprehensive guidebook to Mexican Holidays available now on Amazon!

Tag Archives: holidays in Mexico

Día del Padre In Central and South America

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The price of a piece of cake

Do you want to learn more about Mexican holidays and traditions?

Then check out A Woman’s Survival Guide to Holidays in Mexico!

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12 days of Guadalupe on Instagram

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