The Black Christ, known for his great miracles, will be the center of attention of hundreds of thousands faithful worshipers throughout Central America this week. In Costa Rica, the main celebration will take place in the hillside town of Alajuelita, overlooking San Jose.

Costa Rica Traditions — Praying to the Black Christ in Alajuelita

This Sunday, a pilgrimage will depart from the Basilica in Alajuelita, led by Monsenor Hugo Barrantes and an effigy of the Black Christ. The group will head to a cross (La cruz de Alajuelita) that sits at the top of a nearby mountain, where a solemn mass will take place at 10am.

Two thousand people are expected to participate in the scheduled pilgrimage, while many more will visit the Basilica throughout the week. The procession will be repeated two more times. Monday’s procession will be followed by a serenade to Christ. The procession on Tuesday may be the last procession with the original image of the Black Christ, which is over 100 years old, as they are in the process of creating a new one so that the old one can be preserved.

The tradition of the Black Christ began in the Guatemalan town of Esquipulas, which is why the Black Christ is also called “Santo Cristo de Esquipulas.” There are several stories as to the origin of the celebration, one being that a sculpture of the Black Christ was created by local Indians, and performed a miracle at the turn of the 17th century. Another says that a friar saw a flash of light, and upon inspecting the site, he found the crucifix. When he tried to remove it, it would find its way back to the same spot, so a chapel was built upon the location.

Whichever history one may believe, the story of his great miracles remains the same. The followers of the Black Christ arrive to ask for all kinds of miracles from health to a new home or car. Another tradition that the pilgrims have is to purchase 50 centimeters of ribbon at the temple for 100 colones, which they pass in front of the image of the Black Christ while in prayer, and then guard as a keepsake to feel close to Him.

At the local celebration in Alajuelita, is a tradition of many pilgrims to drink chicha or chinchibi, which will be sold this year in the fair grounds and bull ring. This is the first time that the Alajuelita fiestas civicas will not coincide with the pilgrimage.

In the past, part of the money raised at the fiestas went to help the Basilica, but will instead go to the “More than a Friend Association”, which helps the handicapped. This year, they will try their own fundraising efforts by selling food to the pilgrims in the fair grounds, as well as games and bull fights a la tico.

There is another celebration of the saint in Santa Cruz, Guanacaste on Monday, in conjunction with the fiestas populares, which will include many colorful dances, marimba bands, bull fights and a horse parade in typical Guanacasteco style.

Photo courtesy of Diario Extra

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Filed under: Tico on January 12th, 2008