THE OTHERSIDE OF THE VOLCANO - Chapter 27: Our side of the " Fuego" volcano, is safe and we are thankful and bursting with the joy of life! The traditions continue with gratitude and celebration!

Good morning from the foot of the Volcan de Fuego, Sacatepequez, Guatemala.  It's a gorgeous morning in Guatemala and the citizens of my little town are preparing for "Michaelmas" or in my town it is the "Patronal"  2018 celebration for Saint Michael the Archangel



The many events/traditions in the pueblo where I live for over a decade are most often spiritual, festive, all-inclusive and very happy (except for the Good Friday procession when everyone is robed in black and band plays funeral dirges behind a crucified Jesus ) .

The celebration of San Miguel the Archangel will go on all of this week.  There are BIG WEEKEND PLANS: rodeos (2+), parades, our Queen crowned, fireworks (daily), marimba groups playing and dancers dancing in the parque/plaza central  (in front of the parish church and the municipal palace).   Daily Mass. 

There are vendors and games and every street is loaded with families and friends gathering, chatting, singing and laughing...it's a grand time of the year as San Miguel the Archangel travels from home to home each  night for "entradas".  These "entradas" are nightly parties, hosted in private homes, with tamales and a fruit punch served  to the guests. There is a canopy that reaches on to the street for all well-wishers to feel welcome even with overflow crowds.  The hosts and guests capture the REVERENT and FUN intention of each citizen to honor and admire the medium size carved image of our personal "patron" . The statue of our patron saint will eventually  make way, in procession, to a special place at the high altar before September 29th, his very special Saints Day.

We invite you visit our studio/sala for our latest "art tour".  Our team of artistas, Leonardo, Henry and Francisco welcome you to enjoy the video above as we add to the celebration. 

Please join our friend Estela Vazquez on one her regularly scheduled Artists' Studios tour and meet us: 

Artists´ Studios Tour

Antigua Guatemala

You like Art Tours Antigua Guatemala

Horray and Ole'

St. Michael the Archangel, our hero
San Miguel Dueñas, Sacatepequez
Guatemala
Central America

Find me on facebook too:
Leonardo Ricardo
(Leonard Clark Beardsley)
Guatemala

Video by Henry Leonardo Minas Veliz

to be continued

IN HONOR OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL: Please meet some of San Miguels most cherished and beloved friends and followers...

This past weekend, as part of our celebration and tribute to Saint Michael the Archangel, patron Saint of our village, there were bags and bags of healthy food distributed to some of the elderly folks who rarely leave their homes because of illness or age.  My friends Juan Carlos, Chepe, Henry, Raphael and one of their amigos went around our town passing out anonymously given gifts of nutrious food to some of our older and very respected neighbors.

This time the delivery angelitos took dozens of photos of the wonderful and gracious people who received their ¨Angel Food¨ gifts.  After Juan Carlos downloaded the delivery pictures into my computer I was speechless.  The faces who appeared before me were not only my nobel neighbors and fellow villagers but I could almost see their various personal histories appearing before me...I know most of you will understand the deep feelings of gratitude and Thanksgiving I have for being part of life and everyday ¨being¨ in Latin America. 

May I introduce by way of last Saturdays photos a few of San Miguels dear friends:

Thanks to the many anonymous friends in North and Central America who donated ¨Angel Food¨ for this years celebration

Special thanks 

Jenn and John, San Francisco, California

Juan Carlos, Violeta and Leonardo, San Miguel

Tom, Paul and Mom, Antigua and Hawaii

Lisa, Antigua and Maine

Suzanne, San Pedro/Antigua and Wisconsin

ON THE STREET WHERE I LIVE: The War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness, San Miguel the Archangel, Part 2

¨In the War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness, Michael is described as the prince of light, leading forces of God against the darkness of evil, who is led by Belial. He is described as the "viceroy of heaven", a title that is said to have formerly belonged to Satan¨. HERE

Every day during the month of September, in my little village in Central America, San Miguel the Archangel, our patron, is venerated for his past and ongoing victories, his miracles and actions over the darkness of evil! Yesterday afternoon, San Miguel was escorted by a crowded procession and marching band from the Colonial era church on the plaza to a very modest home just down the street from me. In my village it is a custom for San Miguel, the Archangel, to make his way to a different private home every night. Each day, everyday this month, San Miguel will be escorted to a new home at the opposite side of the village from where he spent the night before. It is a full honor (the visiting homes are announced months in advance) to have San Miguel visit ones home and there is a huge party and open house to rejoice his presence and wonders of his legend and positive influence in our everyday lives. Elaborate fireworks and firecrakers go off all night long and there is a covered patio that extends into the street (and tables and chairs)...it´s truly a feast with tamales and fruit punch (spiked) and served to hundreds of guests (the party is by neighborhood invitation but open to all in reality)...music fills the night, all night, and dancing in the street is especially joyous in our little town...the many realities of the Gifts of God are once more illuminated with bursting ¨light¨ and the genuine gratitude, feasting and secure feelings and joy that ALL is meant to be is celebrated with real passion. Hope and good-will are thick around us. Clearly a matter of TRUSTING in God and celebrating his Archangel San Miguel all through the night.

About one half hour ago, the municipal band paraded down the street and notable citizens arrived to escort/high carry San Miguel onward to the otherside of town where all will celebrate the miracles of good over bad--one more night, one more night again--tonight...it is said in this town that San Miguel won´t move without being accompanied by incense, music and eager, festive and hospitable/generous followers.

· Thanks be to God
· Thanks be to San Miguel, Archangel
· Thanks be to Wikipedia
· Thanks to the Village of San Miguel