San Juan de los Lagos

During my visit to Guadalajara, Rosario took me to the little town of San Juan de los Lagos, in the northern part of the state, (about 75 miles northeast of Guadalajara) to see the very famous basilica there. During February, people from all over Mexico make pilgrimages to this church: the Cathedral of San Juan de los Lagos. It is the second most visited pilgrimage in Mexico (after the one to Guadalupe in Mexico City). When the Pope visited Mexico about 10 years ago, he visited this cathedral.





The church was built in the 1700s and the story goes that the daughter of Indian peasants was gravely ill. The parents prayed to the Virgin and the girl recovered. The statue above the altar was made by Indians and is venerated by all.

Although the festival is in February, every day, people come to the church to ask for special favors from the Virgin, often walking for miles, and at times walking on their knees, to the church. At the entrance of the nave, many of the walkers drop to their knees and walk the last distance kneeling.

In the picture above you can see some people walking on their knees as well as the statue of the Virgin above the altar below the light.

The altar with gold candlesticks and the Virgin.

On the right side of the church is a room with the walls papered with thank-you notes and articles to the Virgin for favors granted. There are thank-yous for everything from recovery from illness, to weddings, to thanksgiving for babies, food, homes.

Outside the church and for a block or two around the church are puestos (stalls) selling religious things as well as food, souvenirs and other trinkets. During the festival in February, there are more puestos, music, fireworks and the overall feeling of spiritual joy.

It was interesting to see but the area around the church was very crowded even on this day in November. I can only imagine how it is in February.

Hasta luego.