Se–or de los Milagros

Se–or de los Milagros

October 18-28

A religious brotherhood affiliated with the church of Las Nazarenas in Lima, Peru, has maintained an annual devotional procession that began in the 17th century. This devotion centers on a painting of Christ, known as Señor de los Milagros, or Lord of the Miracles. The artist of the painting was an Angolan man brought to Peru as a slave in the 1600s. He lived on a plantation in the Pachacamilla area of Lima and there painted the image of the crucified, brown-skinned Jesus on a wall. This wall painting survived several attempts to erase it and at least one earthquake, in 1746. For these reasons, area Roman Catholics believed it to be an unusual image of Christ that required protection and special attention.
Many men are required to carry the two-ton litter upon which rests the portion of the wall with the painting of Señor de los Milagros. Held between October 18-28, the procession attracts thousands of people, making it one of the most well attended processions in South America. This time of year is sometimes referred to as Purple Spring, because October is springtime in Peru and because nearly everyone dresses in purple for the occasion.
Along the route—which starts at the church of Las Nazarenas and winds its way through the streets of Lima until it reaches the church of La Merced—food stands offer numerous delicacies, especially the traditional favorite sweet, Turron de Doña Pepa . The throngs of people who visit Lima in October for the Señor de los Milagros can also attend a series of bullfights at the Plaza de Acho.

CONTACTS:
Commission for the Promotion of Peru
Calle Uno Oeste No. 50, piso 13th
Urb. Corpac
Lima, 27 Peru
51-1-4224-3131; fax: 51-1-224-7134
www.promperu.gob.pe

SOURCES:
BkFestHolWrld-1970, p. 95
FestWrld: Peru-1998, p. 24
FiestaTime-1965, p. 157

Celebration days: Oct 18 - Oct 28