If you happen to be visiting our wonderful island the last of September, join us for the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel (Fiesta de San Miguel Arcángel)! This nine (9) day long festival starts on September 21st and ends on September 29th. This is one (1) of Cozumel's most important religious festivals and you will be able to experience colorful parades, craft fairs and as always, wonderful food as we celebrate and honor San Miguel Arcángel, or commonly called Saint Michael, the Patron Saint of Cozumel!
The history behind Saint Michael becoming the Patron Saint of Cozumel dates back to the mid-1800's! In 1847, the indigenous rebellion now known as the "War of Castes" exploded in the center of Yucatan. Hundreds of people were killed, their haciendas and ranches were devastated by the indigenous Mayan hordes! In an effort to escape the devastation, some settler mestizos and whites managed to escape towards the uninhabited islands off the eastern coast of the Peninsula in 1848!
One (1) of these groups that escaped to Cozumel with their priest, Father Rejon, who arrived from Chemax, Yucatan with an image of Saint Michael, bringing with him the spiritual protection San Miguel Arcángel. While these refuges initially though the stay would only be temporary, it took a number of years until the uprising was resolved on the mainland and the new generations that had now grown up on the island preferred to remain on the sanctuary and refuge they had found during the upheaval.
Today, the many activities celebrating this even begin with daily colorful processions from the Church of San Miguel in a route that passes through the center of the city of San Miguel! Many locals attend mass and wear traditional Mayan clothing called "hipiles"! These processions are filled with dancing and give quite a touch of color and traditionalism to these daily parades!
On the last day, September 29th, a procession of local fishermen carry an image of San Miguel Arcángel through town to the downtown pier where they board a boat. The public accompanies the fisherman and board a ferry which is surrounded by local fishing boats. The boats take to the sea with everyone throwing flowers into the ocean as they sail along.
So if you are visiting us during these nine (9) days of September, don't be shy, join right in with all the festivities! Check out the craft fairs, sample the many foods and "tastes" of Cozumel, attend a local mass and above all, "Party Like It's 1999!" It's a great time of the year to be on the island and join us in celebrating our Patron Saint of Cozumel with fun, food and dancing. See you then!
Past Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel Photos
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