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March Fiesta 2000
 

The March Fiesta of El Niño Fidencio took place March 17th-
19th. The fiesta commemorates El Niño's Saint's Day, "el dia
de San Jose", St. Joseph's Day. Traditionally, the 19th is
celebrated as his Saint's Day since it is St. Joseph's day on
the catholic calendar. The village of Espinazo readies itself by
decoration. The dirt streets are filled with colorful flyers, and
flowers all the way up to the tomb.

Some of residents of Espinazo also decorate their homes and
display banners. On Sunday, March 19th there was a mass
celebrated at the sacred pirul-tree attended by Cipriana
"Panita" Zapata, the oldest living materia of El Niño.

This is a typical home in Espinazo. As you can see, a banner is displayed.
  
El Niño in Panita gave the homily at mass, as is his custom on his special day. The homily given on March 19th has been
transcribed and is available in Spanish in the following link: El Niño's Speech at Sunday Mass.

This is a closeup photoof the Pirulito during the March Fiesta. The
Pirulito was especially decorated for the occasion.
 

Panita and her followers gather at the Pirulito for mass. A microphone
is available for the mass, and everyone in Espinazo can listen to the
Niño's message. At the end of the mass, there is a large procession.
Panita leads the procession up to the tomb.

The carriers of the relics that will be presented at the tomb follow
Panita in the procession. Traditionally, the persons chosen to carry
relics, or "religias" have served El Niño for many, many years.

Panita leads all of the misiones present in a large procession to the
tomb. Each of the misiones display their standards and banners
during the mass, and are lined up in procession for 1/2 mile. They
are followed by the pilgrims of the misiones. The pilgrims, or
"peregrinos" listen to the mass behind the banners and once they

 

begin the procession, they sing holy songs, known as "alabanzas" all the way up to the tomb. At the tomb, El Niño in Panita,
receives the pilgrims and blesses everyone.

These events are a tradition that occur each year in the March fiesta.
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This is a picture of the March Fiesta 2000 procession as they
listen to the homily of El Niño in Panita by the Pirulito.

On one side of the procession, the men
carry the "estandarte" or stand.

On the opposite side the women carry flags.
  
     
 
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