HOLY DAYS/FEAST DAYS
IN SPAIN AND LATIN AMERICA
Jan 6
Día de los Reyes Magos or Día de los Santos Reyes, Epiphany. In many Catholic countries, this is the time for Christmas fun. Traditionally the children receive gifts on this day rather than on Christmas.Since the Three Kings brought gifts, people exchange presents and children put out their shoes for the magi to leave the presents inside.
March 5
Carnaval, an official Mexican holiday that kicks off a five-day celebration before the Catholic Lent. Beginning the weekend before Lent, Carnaval is celebrated with parades, floats and dancing in the streets.
APRIL
Semana Santa or Easter and the Holy Week: Observed in Spain, Mexico and all of Latin America. Easter is one of the highest holy days of the year. The week leading upto Easter involves solemn processions, prayer, masses and other preparation for Jesus’ rebirth. Customs in the United States include Mexicans’ cascarones, the Mexican version of an Easter egg or eggshells, filled with confetti. They are meant to be cracked on someone’s head as a funny surprise and for good luck.
July 25
St. James or Santiago Apostol (Spain). Celebrates the patron saint of Spain.
Aug 15
Feast of the Assumption, celebrated in by Catholics in Spanish-speaking countries. It celebrates the belief in Mary’s ascending to heaven.
Nov 1 & 2
Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead (Mexico, Central America). Traditionally, it is a day to celebrate and honor one’s ancestors. It’s based on the belief that there is interaction between the living world and the world of spirits. On the Día de los Muertos, the almas, or the spirits of the dead, are said to come back for family reunions. Many celebrate setting up ofrendas (altars) in their homes to honor the memory of deceased loved ones and to welcome their visiting souls. Others visit their loved one’s cemetery plot and decorate it with flowers, candles and food. The holiday is celebrated with family and community gatherings, music, and feasting, and the festivity of its observance acknowledges death as an integral part or life.
Nov 2
All Souls’ Day. Día de Todos los Santos- This Christian holiday celebrates the memory of all early martyrs and saints.
Dec 8
Immaculate Conception, celebrated in many Spanish-speaking countries.
Dec 12
Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe or the Feast Day of our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico. The Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to an Indian, Juan Diego on this date in 1531.
Dec 16-24
Las Posadas (Mexico, Guatemala and other Central American countries). Las Posadas commemorate the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and their search for a place to stay. Family and friends visit one another in their homes and enjoy conversations and traditional foods, and visitors sing carols. Colombians celebrate a similar holiday called “La Novena”, and for nine days, families pray and sing traditional carols.
Dec 24 & 25
La Nochebuena y la Navidad, Christmas Eve and Christmas. In many Catholic countries, people attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Preparing traditional foods is also an integral part of the holiday. Mexicans get together for a “tamalada” or a tamal-making session. A tamal is usually made of shredded pork and corn meal called masa, and tucked into a corn shuck or leaf.
Día de los Reyes Magos or Día de los Santos Reyes, Epiphany. In many Catholic countries, this is the time for Christmas fun. Traditionally the children receive gifts on this day rather than on Christmas.Since the Three Kings brought gifts, people exchange presents and children put out their shoes for the magi to leave the presents inside.
March 5
Carnaval, an official Mexican holiday that kicks off a five-day celebration before the Catholic Lent. Beginning the weekend before Lent, Carnaval is celebrated with parades, floats and dancing in the streets.
APRIL
Semana Santa or Easter and the Holy Week: Observed in Spain, Mexico and all of Latin America. Easter is one of the highest holy days of the year. The week leading upto Easter involves solemn processions, prayer, masses and other preparation for Jesus’ rebirth. Customs in the United States include Mexicans’ cascarones, the Mexican version of an Easter egg or eggshells, filled with confetti. They are meant to be cracked on someone’s head as a funny surprise and for good luck.
July 25
St. James or Santiago Apostol (Spain). Celebrates the patron saint of Spain.
Aug 15
Feast of the Assumption, celebrated in by Catholics in Spanish-speaking countries. It celebrates the belief in Mary’s ascending to heaven.
Nov 1 & 2
Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead (Mexico, Central America). Traditionally, it is a day to celebrate and honor one’s ancestors. It’s based on the belief that there is interaction between the living world and the world of spirits. On the Día de los Muertos, the almas, or the spirits of the dead, are said to come back for family reunions. Many celebrate setting up ofrendas (altars) in their homes to honor the memory of deceased loved ones and to welcome their visiting souls. Others visit their loved one’s cemetery plot and decorate it with flowers, candles and food. The holiday is celebrated with family and community gatherings, music, and feasting, and the festivity of its observance acknowledges death as an integral part or life.
Nov 2
All Souls’ Day. Día de Todos los Santos- This Christian holiday celebrates the memory of all early martyrs and saints.
Dec 8
Immaculate Conception, celebrated in many Spanish-speaking countries.
Dec 12
Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe or the Feast Day of our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico. The Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to an Indian, Juan Diego on this date in 1531.
Dec 16-24
Las Posadas (Mexico, Guatemala and other Central American countries). Las Posadas commemorate the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and their search for a place to stay. Family and friends visit one another in their homes and enjoy conversations and traditional foods, and visitors sing carols. Colombians celebrate a similar holiday called “La Novena”, and for nine days, families pray and sing traditional carols.
Dec 24 & 25
La Nochebuena y la Navidad, Christmas Eve and Christmas. In many Catholic countries, people attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Preparing traditional foods is also an integral part of the holiday. Mexicans get together for a “tamalada” or a tamal-making session. A tamal is usually made of shredded pork and corn meal called masa, and tucked into a corn shuck or leaf.