Description:

In the Christian tradition, Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, which culminates with the celebration of Easter eight days later. The day commemorates the triumphal arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem at the end of his traveling and preaching around the country. All Catholic churches mark the day with a blessing and distribution of palms to the faithful. Some parishes also sponsor a procession near the church. But no community around Oaxaca has so elaborate a celebration as San Antonino Castillo Velasco. There townsfolk gather at the local cemetery for a grand procession to the village church. What sets this apart is the custom of people bringing gifts, which will be auctioned off after Mass to raise funds for the upkeep of the church and to support community services. The procession of several hundred people includes live animals, birds, articles of clothing, many baskets of food - baked goods, fruit and so on - and of course multiple colorful flower bouquets. You will certainly want to bring your camera!

There will be food vendors in the town square waiting to provide lunch to all comers. So come join in this festive celebration!

Note:  the unusual Sunday date and 9:30 am rendezvous time for this outing and early return to Oaxaca.