Festival to honor Mexican folk saint set to begin Saturday
October 08,2006
Paige Lauren Deiner
Monitor Staff Writer
The Mexican folk saint and curandero José Fidencio Sintora Constantino died 68 years ago. Since his death, a select group of devotees and followers have said Fidencio's spirit enters their bodies and uses them as a vehicle to continue healing people.
When alive, Fidencio purportedly healed the mentally ill, aided in child birth and officiated at funerals, baptisms and weddings, according to newspaper reports from the time and Fidencistas. Fidencio also performed surgeries with a piece of glass and used local herbs and insects to cure illnesses, ranging from the common cold to leprosy.
Fidencio's actions often put him at odds with medical professionals and the Catholic Church. But during his lifetime, Fidencio became a popular hero and developed an enormous following. That following has not diminished since his death. Twice a year, in March and October, believers pilgrimage to Espinazo, N.L., Mexico to celebrate the life and death of the folk saint. Fidencio performed most of his healing in Espinazo and is buried in a tomb there.
This year, along with the October fiesta in Espinazo, local Fidencistas can attend a fiesta in Edinburg to honor the healer. The Edinburg fiesta marks the first time a celebration paying tribute to Fidencio has happened outside of Espinazo. The fiesta begins 10 a.m. Saturday, going through the evening, and concludes 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 at Alberto Salinas' home. Salinas is a local curandero and is hailed as a Fidencio medium.
Salinas, who reportedly has channeled the spirit of Fidencio for almost 30 years, said he asked Fidencio's spirit to allow him to have the fiesta in Edinburg since his declining health no longer allows him to easily make the pilgrimage to Espinazo.
The Edinburg fiesta will mirror the fiesta in Espinazo. Matachines, or dancers, will pay homage to Fidencio through music and choreographed movements. Traditionally, each medium has his or her own group of matachines that dance for Fidencio. Drum beats punctuate their movements and exotic costumes jingle with each step. Along with the matachines, various healers and vendors will be on hand.
The fiesta kicks of with a wreath presentation and then continues with a mass healing and penances. Attendees can expect to see believers rolling, crawling or slithering in penance from Salinas' Pirul tree to the Salinas's consultorio. These people will be performing a penance similar to the ones done in Espinazo.
A fireworks display is scheduled at 9 p.m. Saturday outside Salinas' home.
The fiesta will close with a wake to Fidencio and the distribution of holy water, blessed candles, incense, flowers and holy oil.
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Paige Lauren Deiner covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4425. For this and other local stories, visit
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