Thursday, Febrero 28, 10am
In front of the Parroquiabr> free

Friday, March 1
All Day
In front of the Parroquia

Look for native dancers in front of the Parroquia from dawn until dusk the first Friday of March, a tradition spanning over 400 years. The dancers are venerating El Señor de la Conquista, a 1575 statue of Christ housed in the Parroquia that was carried by two Franciscan friars, Fr. Francisco Doncel and Fr. Pedro de Burgos, who came to San Miguel to convert the rebellious and barbaric Chichimeca. The friars were killed on the road to SMA near the colonia named for them, Los Frailes.

The life-sized Jesus statue the friars carried with them was meant for the Parroquia to celebrate the fact that San Miguel was recently declared an official town by the Spanish crown. The statue was made in the state of Michocan and left behind on the road by the Chichimecas.

Once recovered, the European looking Jesus was altered with corn stalks and orchid bulbs to appear more native looking and darker skinned. Mirrors were applied to Jesus' cross to reflect the notion that the same Jesus was savior to both the Spanish and local Mexicans. It was a huge step in helping to convert locals to the Roman Catholic faith and resides inside the Parroquia.

People who enter the Parroquia this day say 33 prayers, one for each of the years of Jesus' life.

Scores of dancers from all around Mexico don elaborate pre-Hispanic costumes, complete with plumed headdresses and other indigenous garb reflective of what the great Aztec, Mayan and Toltec emperors and warriors wore. At this, the start of the food growing season, dancers perform for most of the day in front of the Parroquia to help ensure prosperity for all. They begin following a 6:00 am mass that celebrates the spiritual conquest of the dancers through their faith in Jesus Christ. It is a feast of particular significance to the native Otomies.

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