Patron Saints Of Puerto Rico

Photo Credit: Dominique Debos

Attending Patron Saint Festivals, or fiestas patronales, can be a keen manner to indulge in Puerto Rico's rich civilization this summer. As about 85 percent of the county'south residents are Roman Catholic, faith is a huge function of locals' manner of life. Therefore, each region or town has its own patron saint, which is honored during an annual festival. Visitors who accept the adventure to nourish i of these celebrations volition exist entertained in the town's central plaza with plenty of food and drink as well as music, games and a religious procession. All the same, the exact way that locals decide to honor their saint tin vary from town to town.

For case, 9 different towns on the island have made Virgen del Carmen their patron saint. This religious figure is i of the many invocations of the Virgin Mary and is honored by her towns on July 16. Travelers who decide to get to places like Approach, Aguadilla, Villalba, Cidra, Culebra or Barceloneta during this time volition accept the adventure to participate in the various festivities. For instance, in Aguadilla, people start jubilant beyond the city on July nine. So, on July 16, they run across at the plaza and follow a religious procession to the ocean.

Later in the calendar month, locals in Aibonito, Fajardo, Guanica, Loiza Aldea and Santa Isabel gather in their towns to celebrate the festival of their patron saint Santiago Apóstol. This Catholic saint, apostle and martyr is honored every year on July 25. The tradition to gloat the apostle was brought to the island of Puerto Rico by the Castilian conquistadors in the 1500s, but travelers who have a chance to come across this festival will know that the do is still very much live today. For instance, in Loiza Aldea, the celebration begins on July 25 and lasts for a total week. During this time, locals appoint in religious events every bit well as a carnival commemoration. In order to tell the history of the patron saint and his festival, four people from the boondocks also clothes up as characters and put on a operation.

All the same, travelers who cannot brand it to Puerto Rico this summer do not have to miss out on all this fun. Patron saint festivals occur all over the island throughout the year. A little advanced planning tin can ensure that visitors do non miss one of these many celebrations.