I wasn’t brought up in the Virgin and crucified Christ tradition. No baggage, no boredom — perhaps that is why I find the multiplicity of María and Jesús images so fascinating. Thus, I can’t resist a little “up close and personal” at the Procession of Silence.
Señor de Esquipulas – Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen Alto
Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores – Parroquia de Santo Tomas Xochimilco
Señor de Las Tres Caídas – Parroquia de Santo Tomás Xochimilco
La Piedad
Jesús con la Cruz a Cuestas – Capellanía de Nuestra Señora del Patracinio
Nuestra Señora de los Dolores – Capellanía de Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio
Señor de La Columna (front) – Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Señor de La Columna (back) – Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
The rituals and images continue to remain alien to me, but I can’t help but appreciate them as cultural expressions.
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 
I can quite understand your fascination. These images are surely not in the reserved Anglo fashion!
Not by any means!
My husband and I recently returned from two months in Oaxaca and plan to return at the end of October for another four months. We are in love the beauty, culture, food, and people of Oaxaca and thanks to your wonderful posts, we have been able to keep our love for this beautiful city alive. Your pictures are gorgeous and we always look forward to reading your informative and insightful posts. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you so much Sylvia. Perhaps our paths will cross when you return.
I would like that a lot. I follow your blog religiously. The only problem is that it makes me really homesick for Oaxaca. I think I left a part of my soul there.
So obliging of them to bring them out for a paseo, as it’s so difficult to capture photos of saintly fashions in dimly lit churches. Beautiful photos, and, with no sleeve available, love the way El Senor de la Columna wears his heart on his elbow….
¡Muchisimas gracias, Gayle! The gruesome attention to detail is always rather startling.
Wonderful images Shannon – I totally understand your fascination with the ‘expressions of faith’ in Mexico as they are so visceral. I’m not Catholic either – but it doesn’t matter as the strength of devotion and the artistry of expression is almost magical. Thanks for being there….
Thanks, Sheri! And, yes, there is something so heartfelt about the images and the passion of the believers that is captivating.
I am always taken aback by the sheets. Reminds me of the KKK! That said, I agree that your posts and images are wonderful.I am fascinated by it too.
Sandi, the first time I saw those hoods I was brought up short and had to do a little research: They date back to 15th or 16th century Europe. Members of lay religious charitable organizations (cofradías) would don the masks and hoods to guarantee anonymity and promote humility in their service. Naturally, the Spanish brought the tradition to Mexico. Different hood colors are affiliated with different churches.
Beautiful and a bit gruesome. That first image with the black Jesus and the white hoods gave me the creeps, but I knew it had to have a history of its own – thank you, Spixl!