Fidencista Movement
"Fidencistas" is the name given to believers and followers of El Niño Fidencio. The name comes from El Niño's full name Jose Fidencio Sintora Constantino.

Fidencistas visit the village of Espinazo, Nuevo Leon, a small desert village about two hours north away from Monterrey. Espinazo is where Fidencio lived, and beneath a pepper "pirul" tree the spiritual birth of El Niño Fidencio took place.

Fidencistas visit the tomb of El Niño. Believers make pilgrimages to Espinazo and pay tribute at his tomb. It is customary for believers to pray and sing songs or "alabanzas" in the tomb.

Some pilgrimages are lead by a materia from a local healing
mission. A materia is a "caja" or box for the spirit of El Niño.

This is the pirul tree. It is customary for Fidencistas and visitors
alike, to walk around the tree three times when arriving and leaving in
rememberance of the special place where El Niņo received his
healing gift.
  
       
 

The inside of the tomb is pictured here.
Local children during break time from their
school recess visit the tomb to have a drink
of the blessed water to quench their thirst.

This is a symbolic metaphor for when the materia channels the spirit of El Niño. Through the materia, El Niño is able to heal, counsel, and comfort the people who visit him or seek him. When a materia is channeling, El Niño takes over, and the materia is now referred to as El Niño.

Followers usually congregate at a "templo" or templo that is lead by the materia. Central to the templo is the altar. The altar is dedicated to El Niño Fidencio, and is decorated with photos of him and other items such as candles, incense, and photos of those in need. The altar is regarded as a special place in the templo, and careful consideration is taken in its creation, decoration and location.

The fiestas take place every 17th, 18th & 19th of March in honor of his Saint's Day and October 17th, 18th, & 19th in honor of his birthday. During the fiestas, Fidencistas come from Colorado, Michigan, California, and Texas, not to mention those who visit from within Mexico, to visit "La Tierra Santa." Fidencistas and curious visitors crowd the streets of Espinazo to catch a glimpse of the spirit of El Niño Fidencio.


This is the entrance to the tomb.
The tomb was actually El Niņo's
hospital. He's buried inside to
protect his body from being stolen
or desecrated.
  
If you would like a more detailed view of the Fidencista Movement and El Niņo Fidencio's life please read the following article by Dr. Antonio N. Zavaleta: El Niņo Fidencio and the Fidencistas.
 
   
     
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________--
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________--
If you have any questions or comments regarding this page or the site, please contact us at: fidencio@yahoogroups.com