Fechas de Fe/Feast Days
The following is a listing of the major feast days celebrated in New Mexico and the associated saints connected to those feast days.
January
January 2
San Gregorio/St. GregorySan Gregorio Church at Abó (1630) named in his honor. The site of a Piro Indian pueblo, the church and convento were extensively renovated in the late 1640s and 1650s. The church acquired an organ in 1661 with proceeds from the sale of piñón nuts. Like other Salinas pueblos, Abó was abandoned about 1672 because of continued attacks by nomadic Apache and Comanche Indians.
January 23
San Ildefonso/St. IldephonsusChurch at San Ildefonso and Indian Pueblo, 6 miles W of Pojoaque, NM, named in his honor. A Tewa Pueblo, San Ildefonso has been at present location since 1717. Original location was named by Oñate in 1598 as Bove. Named Ildefonso, after the 7th Archbishop of Toledo, when the mission church was built in 1617 (destroyed in 1680; rebuilt in 1694; rebuilt in 1717; current building 1969).
January 25
Conversión de San Pablo/Conversion of St. PaulSettlements in Doña Ana (2 miles SE of Mesilla), Guadalupe (abandoned), Sandoval (E of Río Puerco; abandoned), and San Miguel (12 miles SW of Las Vegas) counties, NM. Celebrated at Picurís Pueblo, this feast day commemorates St. Paul's conversion.
February
February 2
Nuestra Señora de San Juan de los Lagos/Our Lady of St. John of the Lakes Church in Talpa, NM named in her honor. This image was brought by settlers to New Mexico (Talpa) in the early 1800s from México. Feast day celebrated at Picurís and San Ildefonso Pueblos.
February 5
San Felipe de Jesús/St. Phillip of JesusPatron of México City and of San Felipe Pueblo (NM). A México City native, martyred in Japan, wears blue Franciscan robes with crossed lances through his torso. Statue of San Felipe at San Felipe Pueblo is by Don Bernardo de Miera y Pacheco.
February 11
Nuestra Señora de Lourdes/Our Lady of Lourdes Nuestra Señora de Lourdes at San Juan Pueblo (1912)
March
March 18
San Patricio/St. PatrickChurches in Ratón and Chama, NM, named in his honor.
March 19
San José/Saint JosephChurches named in his honor are found in Albuquerque, Antón Chico, Mission at Laguna Pueblo (1692), Mission at Giusewa Pueblo, now Jémez Springs (1626, abandoned between 1628-38), Hernández (1870), Trampas (1760), La Cienega, Ledoux, Los Duranes, Luis López, Lyden, Pinos Wells, San José, Texico, White Rock, Folsom, Algodones, Colonias, Contreras, Los Ojos, Raton, Springer, and Roy, NM. Settlements in Bernalillo (S of Albuquerque), Eddy (S of Carlsbad), Río Arriba (SE of Hernández), San Miguel (1803, W of Pecos), Sierra (under Elephant Butte Reservoir), Socorro (near Sabinal, abandoned) counties, NM. Patron of first Jémez Indian Pueblo Mission (1617) and the first church built after the reconquest at Laguna (1699). Feast day celebrated at Laguna Pueblo. This is the third most frequent image found in devotional art in New Mexico; almost 6% of all known santos are of this image. After Anthony, José is the saint most commonly represented in New Mexico place names (33 times).
March 25
La Anunciación/Annunciation of the LordChurches at Albuquerque, Placita, and Jémez Springs, NM, named in honor of the Annunciation. This day commemorates the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of the Incarnation of Christ.
Viernes Santo/Good FridaySangre de CristoSangre de Cristo Church (1849) in Cuarteles, NM, celebrates its feast day on Good Friday. Christ crucified can be portrayed just on a cross or in a scene with the Virgin Mary and San Juan Evangelista, known as a Calvario (for Mt. Calvary).
April
April 5
San Vicente FerrerBecause he was believed to be like the Angel of the Apocalypse announcing the Day of Judgment, he is shown with wings, holding a cross with a rosary and a skull in the background.
April 17
Kateri TekakwithaHer image can be found in the altarscreen in St. Francis Cathedral in Santa Fe, NM, on the altar at Laguna Pueblo, NM, and in the Church of St. Luke in El Cajón, CA (by Frankie Nazario Lucero). There is also a stained glass window in the Isleta Church in her honor. The first Native American Indian to be canonized, her feast day is also celebrated on July 14.
April 25
San Marcos/St. Mark The village of San Marcos, NM in Santa Fe County, NM (NE of Los Cerrillos) is named in his honor. This is the site of a pueblo abandoned in historic times.
May
May 3
Santa Cruz/Holy CrossCommemorates the exaltation of the Cross on which Christ was crucified. The settlement in Santa Fe County, the second oldest (1695) villa decreed by the Spanish in NM, is named in honor of this holy day. Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Cañada (1743) in Santa Cruz, NM and Santa Cruz Church (1820) in Ojo Caliente, and the Santa Cruz River in southern Arizona (which flows by the Missions of San Xavier del Bac (1797) and Tumacacori (1799)) are named in honor of the Sacred Cross. The altarscreen at Santa Cruz is by the Laguna Santero, José Rafael Aragon, and Pedro Antonio Fresquis. The altarscreen in Ojo Caliente is by Marie Romero Cash and Don Cash. The Pueblos of Cochití and Taos celebrate this feast day.
May 8/September 29
San Miguel Arcángel/St. Michael the ArchangelChurches in La Puente, NM (1914), Santa Fe, NM (1710, after the original was destroyed in 1680), the ruins in Tajique (before 1650), del Vado, NM (1805), La Bajada, NM (after 1831), Ribera, NM (1820s) and the Mission of San Miguel (1797) in San Miguel, CA (the 16th mission in CA) and the villages of San Miguel in Doña Ana County (SE of Las Cruces), Río Arriba County (NW of Taos), and in San Miguel County (SE of Las Vegas) as well as the New Mexico County of San Miguel are named in his honor. His image can also be found in the altar of the Santuario in Chimayó, NM. Michael (his name means "Who is like God") is winged and equipped with a sword to conquer the forces of evil. He holds the scales of the judgment of souls. His duties include weighing the deeds done in life by the deceased and recommending heaven, purgatory, or hell.
May 15
San Isidro Labradór/St. Isidore Churches in Agua Fria, NM (1635), Holman, NM (1950s), Sapello, NM (1850s), Ojo Feliz, NM (1900), La Mesilla, NM (1918), Las Nutrias, NM (1936) and La Capilla de San Isidro (1928) in Santa Fe, NM are all named in his honor. There is a new altarscreen made by Luis Tapia at the church in Agua Fría. The village of San Isidro in Sandoval County, NM, (NW of Bernalillo) is named in his honor. He is pictured with an angel and oxen with plow and, in New Mexico, wearing clothing of a Spanish Colonial gentleman with wide brim hat and a staff.
May 16
San Juan Nepomuceno/St. John of Nepomuk San Juan Nepomuceno Churches in Llano San Juan, NM (1832), Canjilón, NM (1878), and El Rito, NM (1832) are named in his honor. Images of San Juan Nepomuceno can be found on the altar in Truchas, NM and in the altarscreen at El Rito by Marie Romero Cash and Don Cash. The Stations of the Way of the Cross in El Rito are also by Don Cash. He is shown in classic diocesan priest style with black cassock holding a palm and crucifix. The image of a bridge and a river are frequently found in the background.
May 17
San Pascual Bailón/St. Pascal Baylon He is often depicted with a monstrance or chalice in his hand or in homage to the Holy Eucharist. He is also pictured with a lamb and shepherd's staff. He is considered patron of cooks because of the legend that his kitchen duties were miraculously taken care of while he prayed before the Blessed Sacrament.
May 21
Nuestra Señora de la Luz/Our Lady of the Light Nuestra Señora de la Luz Church (1870s) in Cañoncito, NM and La Capilla Castrense (1761) in Santa Fe, NM are named in her honor. The Castrense altarscreen, now at Cristo Rey Church in Santa Fe, contains an image of her. The Land Grant in W Central Sandoval County, NM is named in her honor. The Virgin in a white robe and blue mantle with the Holy Child on her left arm, rescuing a youth from the demon. Devotion introduced into New Mexico by Governor Marín del Valle in the mid-1700s.
May 22
Santa Rita de Casia/St. Rita of CasciaSanta Rita Church (1836) in Lucero, NM is named in her honor. The area around the Chino Mine in Turnerville, NM (NE of Silver City) and the Santa Rita Mountains in southern Arizona are named in her honor. Depicted as a young woman dressed in the black robes of the Augustinian nuns, in accordance to her parents' wishes she was married, albeit against her will. While she was meditating a thorn from Christ's crown of thorns was implanted in her forehead so she could suffer with Him.
May 26
San Felipe de Neri/St. Phillip Neri The Church in Old Town Albuquerque, NM (1706) is named in his honor.
May 31
La Visitación/Visit of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth Subject of a retablo by the A. J. Santero.
June
Forty days after EasterSolemnity of Ascension of the Lord This image can be found in a Retablo by Jose Rafael Aragon in the Museum of International Folk Art. A Holy Day of Obligation, i.e., Catholics should attend mass.
Fifty days after EasterSolemnity of PentecostMarks the end of the Easter season.
Sunday after PentecostLa Santísma Trinidad/Holy Trinity Usually depicted in a horizontal line as three bearded men with triangular halos; the Spirit can appear as a dove. All wear long robes with the Father (center figure) given the New Mexican symbolism of crown, sun and scepter, the Son or Christ (figure on right), with a lamb, and The Holy Spirit (usually seen on the viewer's right with a dove). They are frequently seen holding a rope or chain which represents their unity.
Second Thursday after PentecostCorpus Christi/Body of ChristIn 1681, 511 captives from Isleta Pueblo resettled in Corpus Christi de la Isleta, later known as Ysleta del Sur, only a few miles south of present El Paso, TX. Celebrated in a public procession through the streets of Santa Fe. Following the Feast of Corpus Christi, special processions take place on the two Sundays following - first the procession of La Conquistadora from St. Francis Cathedral to Rosario Chapel on June 16, and then her return on June 23.
June 13
San Antonio de Padua/St. Anthony of Padua San Antonio Chapel (1830s) in Cordova, NM, San Antonio Churches in El Rancho, NM (1938), La Loma, NM (1892), Questa, NM (1860s), Abeytas, NM (1874), La Capilla de San Antonio (1865) in Servilleta/Chacón, NM, Sabinal, NM (1826), San Antonio, NM (1888), Walatowa/Jemez, NM (1919), Sandia, NM (1890), Isleta Pueblo (1629, renamed San Agustín de Isleta in 1710), the Mission of San Antonio (1771) in Jolon, CA (3rd oldest mission in CA), and the Mission of San Antonio (1816) in Pala, CA and the villages of San Antonio in Bernalillo County, NM (N of Tijeras), San Miguel County, NM (N of Las Vegas), Sandoval County, NM (N of Jemez Springs), Socorro County, NM (S of Socorro), Santa Fe County, NM (W of Pojoaque), and McKinley County, NM (NE of Thoreau) are named in his honor. The altarscreen in Córdova was made by José Rafael Aragon. The San Antonio niche in La Loma was by Gabriel Jeantet. Antonio's image can be found in a bulto by Alcario Otero in the Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community (1994) in Santa Fe, NM. The Pueblos of Santa Clara, Taos, San Juan, San Ildefonso, Cochití and Sandía celebrate this feast day. Most dominant place name derived from a saint's name found in NM. He is sometimes seen in a Franciscan blue (blue for Mary) robe with a cord tie, holding a book. Sometimes the Christ Child is sitting on the book and Anthony is tonsured and unbearded.
June 21
San Luís Gonzaga/St. Aloysius Gonzaga San Luis Gonzalo de Amarante Church (1899) in Las Tablas, NM and San Luis Mountain in McKinley County, NM (SW of Cuba) are named in his honor. In New Mexico, Luis Gonzaga and Gonzalo de Amarante became inextricably confused. Pictured wearing a white surplice over a black cassock with collar. He has no facial hair and carries a crucifix and lilies.
June 22
San Acacio/St. Acacius of Mt. Ararat San Acacio Churches (1936) in Llano Largo, NM (1936), San Acacio, CO (1860s), and Golondrinas, NM (1862) and the village of San Acacia, NM (N of Socorro) are named in his honor. One of the altarscreens in Llano Largo was by José de Gracia Gonzales. The altarscreen in San Acacio, CO is by Marie Romero Cash. The image of San Acacio can be found on an altar at Córdova, NM.
June 24
San Juan Bautista/St. John the Baptist San Juan de los Caballeros Church (1598) in San Juan Pueblo, NM was named in his honor. San Juan is the third most dominant place name derived from a saint's name found in NM. His feast day is celebrated at the Pueblos of San Juan, Laguna, and Taos. The precursor of Christ, whose cousin he was, was commemorated universally in the liturgy by the 4th century. He is the only saint, except the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose birthday is observed as a feast.
June 29
San Pedro y San Pablo Apostoles/St. Peter and St. Paul Apostles The villages of San Pedro in Río Arriba County, NM (S of Española) and Sandoval County, NM (N of Regina) are named in his honor. The village of San Pablo in San Miguel County, NM (W of Las Vegas) is named in his honor. The Pueblos of Santa Ana, San Felipe, Ácoma, and Laguna celebrate the feast day of San Pedro. The Land Grant in W Sandoval and Bernalillo Counties, NM is named in San Pedro's honor, as is the chapel to San Pedro y San Pablo in Chamita (N of Española, near San Juan Pueblo). Peter is pictured as the keeper of the gates of heaven, in a long robe, wearing a beard. He carries a key or two and may be carrying a book. Paul is shown as a thin-faced elderly man holding a sword and a book, or has three springs of water near him.
Friday after second Sunday after PentecostEl Sagrado Corazón/Sacred HeartSagrado Corazón churches in Rainsville, NM (1910), Mesita (1935), Nambé, NM (1947), and Rio Lucío, NM (1920) are named in honor of the Sacred Heart. The feast day is celebrated on October 4 in Nambé, and May 3 in Rainsville and Río Lucío. The object of the devotion is the divine Person of Christ, whose heart is the symbol of his love for all people.
July
July 3
Santo Tomás Apóstol/St. Thomas the Apostle Churches in Ojo Sarco (1886), Abiquiú (1773), are named in his honor.
July 15
San Buenaventura/St. Bonaventure Mission Church at Cochití Pueblo, the Ortega Family Chapel in Chimayó (1873), Humanas (1659, originally called the Mission of San Isidro) are named in his honor; Picurís Pueblo was originally named in honor of San Buenaventura in 1598 by Juan de Oñate. Cochití celebrates feast day with Corn Dances. Bonaventure is considered the second founder of the Franciscan Order.
July 16/July 18
Nuestra Señora del Carmen/Our Lady of Mount Carmel Churches in Llano Quemado, NM (1787), El Carmen, NM (1900), and Ysleta, TX (patron saint of church is San Antonio) and the villages of North and South Carmen in Mora County, NM (S of Mora) are named in her honor. The altarscreen from Llano Quemado painted by Rafael Aragon is now in the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe, NM.
July 20
Santa Librada/St. Liberata Patron of liberated women because she grew a beard, she is revered in New Mexico as a Penitente saint, as she was crucified by her father for disobeying his wishes.
July 22
Santa María Magdalena/St. Mary Magdalene Patroness of women and converts, she is usually shown at the foot of the cross in a long green gown and red cloak. She is an important part of the New Mexican Lenten story.
July 25
Santiago/St. James Santuario de Chimayó celebrates one of its feast days on July 25; folk play Los Moros y Los Cristianos/The Moors and the Christians is performed. San José Church in Los Ojos (1883; rebuilt 1935-50) celebrates its feast days with Santiago and Santa Ana. Taos and San Ildefonso Pueblos celebrate this feast day with Corn Dances.
July 25
San Cristóbal/St. Christopher San Cristóbal Church in San Cristóbal (before 1626, rebuilt 1945) and the villages of San Cristóbal in Taos County, NM (N of Taos) and in Santa Fe County, NM (E of Galisteo) are named in his honor.
July 26
Santa Ana/St. Ann The Pueblo and the Mission Church of Santana (prior to 1680) and Acomita (1939) are named for St. Ann; her feast day includes Corn Dances at Santa Ana, Taos, and Laguna Pueblos. When NM became an American territory in 1848, there was a county called Santa Ana, whose lands stretched from the Río Grande to the Arizona border. The county survived into the 1870s when it was dissolved and included in Bernalillo County; later most of it split off and became Sandoval County. This day commemorates the parents of Mary (St. Joachim was her father).
July 31
San Ignacio de Loyola/St. Ignatius of Loyola Villages in Bernalillo County, NM (W of Río Puerco), Guadalupe County, NM (W of Santa Rosa), and San Miguel County, NM (W of Sapelló) are named in his honor. The founder of the Society of Jesus.
August
August 2
Nuestra Señora de los Angeles/Our Lady of the Angels The Mission Church at Pecos Pueblo (before 1625) was named in her honor. Feast Day celebrated at Jémez Pueblo with traditional dances.
August 6
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Commemorates the revelation of the divinity of Christ to Peter, James and John at Mt. Tabor, universally extended through the church in 1457.
August 8
Santo Domingo/St. Dominic Churches in Cundiyó (1838) and Santo Domingo Pueblo (1605, destoyed 1680, rebuilt c. 1700, destroyed by flood 1886, current building 1890) are named in his honor. Santo Domingo celebrates its feast day on August 4 with traditional dances.
August 10
San Lorenzo/St. Lawrence Church at Picurís Pueblo (before 1625; burned in 1680; 1776 until 1986; current church rebuilt in 1988) is named in his honor. His name appears as a place name 11 times in NM. Large altarscreen was painted by Rafael Aragon in 1820s and the oil paintings were donated by the King of Spain in 1700s. Picurís Pueblo celebrates feast day with Sunset Dance and pole climbing; Ácoma also celebrates this feast day. Feast day coincides with 1680 Pueblo Revolt when 21 Franciscan priests were martyred. Fiestas de San Lorenzo in Bernalillo are celebrated on August 9 & 10.
August 11
Santa Clara/St. Clare Church at Santa Clara Pueblo (1622-29, destroyed in 1680 and reconstructed several times; current church 1918) is named in her honor. Feast day celebrated at Santa Clara Pueblo on August 12 with Buffalo or Comanche dances. Santa Clara Pueblo was named by Juan de Oñate in 1598. The town of Wagon Mound was originally called Santa Clara.
August 15
Nuestra Señora de la Asunción/Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryTitular patroness of Laguna and Zia Pueblos, she is celebrated with traditional dances. Today commemorates the taking into heaven of Mary, one of the oldest and most solemn feasts of Mary. The original iconography of La Conquistadora was Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.
August 23
Santa Rosa de Lima/St. Rose of Lima Church in Abiquiú (1744) and the county seat of Guadalupe County, NM were named in her honor. She was the first canonized saint born in the Americas.
August 28
San Agustín/St. Augustine The village of San Augustin in Doña Ana County, NM (S of Organ) as well as the San Agustín Mountains and the San Agustín Pass were named in his honor. Isleta Pueblo celebrates San Agustín Feast Day on September 3 with traditional dances.
August 29
Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist Commemorates the beheading of John, the cousin of Christ.
August 31
San Ramón Nonato/St. Raymond Nonatus An abandoned village in San Miguel County, NM (N of Trementina) was named in his honor.
September
September 2
San Estevan Rey/St. Stephen Mission of San Estevan Rey at Ácoma Pueblo (before 1644) is named in his honor. Acoma Pueblo celebrates Feast Day with traditional dances.
September 8
La Navidad de Nuestra Señora/Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mission Church at Chililí (1616; Salinas ruins) named in her honor. Laguna and San Ildefonso Pueblos celebrate Feast Day with traditional dances. This is a very old feast which originated in the East and found place in the Roman liturgy in the 7th century. On September 8, 1598, New Mexico was declared a missionary province of the Franciscan Order by Juan de Oñate at San Juan Pueblo, NM. The church in Alameda is named in her honor.
September 15/16
Nuestra Señora de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows Churches in La Joya, Arroyo Hondo (1830s), Manzano, Milagro, Pilar (1892), Río en Medio, Tecolote, Vadito, Vallecitos (1800), Willard, La Joya, Socorro County, and Las Vegas, NM, and villages in Santa Fe County, NM (SE of Madrid), and Union County, NM, named in her honor. Her image can be found in the Church of Saint Anthony in Córdova, NM. The Mission of St. Francisco de Asís (1776) in San Francisco, CA, was built on the Arroyo de los Dolores and is frequently referred to as the Mission Dolores. Church in Arroyo Hondo had a 15-panel altarscreen by the Arroyo Hondo Painter (now owned by the Taylor Museum); new reproduction by Marie Romero and Don Cash. Since 1814, this feast day recalls the sorrows experienced by Mary in her association with Christ: the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the three-day separation from Jesus, and four incidents connected with the Passion. Altarscreen by Marie Romero Cash at the Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community (1994) in Santa Fe, NM. Settlements in Santa Fe (SE of Madrid) and Union counties, NM. Thomas Edison built a plant in 1900 in the Santa Fe County settlement of Dolores to extract gold using static electricity. Represented in a somber mantle, usually dark blue, with a dagger piercing her heart. There are forty-seven churches in New Mexico named for her. This is the second most frequent image used in devotional art in New Mexico; over 6% of all known santos are of her image.
September 25
Santa Isabel/St. Elizabeth This Feast Day celebrated at Laguna Pueblo.
September 29
San Miguel, San Rafael y San Gabriel/St. Michael, St. Raphael & St. Gabriel The village of San Rafael del Guique (N of Española) and the San Rafael Chapel (1840s) in the Santuario de Chimayó and Church in La Cueva (1862), and San Miguel Churches in Cañones (1859), La Puente (1914), Ribera (early 1800s), Santa Fe (1605, destroyed 1680, and rebuilt 1710) are named in their honor. The altarscreen in Santa Fe was painted by the Laguna Santero. Originally three separate feast days, the feast days for Gabriel and Raphael were suppressed in 1970 and the joint feast day of the three archangels was instituted.
September 30
San Gerónimo/St Jerome Church at Taos Pueblo (1706) and two villages (in San Miguel County, NM, W of Las Vegas and in Socorro County, NM, W of La Joya) were named in his honor. Taos Pueblo celebrates Feast Day with traditional dances.
October
October 2
Angeles de la Guardia/Guardian Angels
October 4
San Francisco de Asís/St. Francis of Assisi Church at El Duende, NM (1896), Estaca, NM (1930), San Francisco de Sandía (1620s), San Francisco de Asís in Nambé (early 1600s, destroyed 1680, rebuilt 1729-1909, current building 1975), Mission at Pojoaque was originally Nuestra Señora del Guadalupe (1707), renamed in 1749 as San Francisco, St Francis Cathedral in Santa Fe (1869), Rancho de Taos, NM (1810). This Feast Day celebrated at Nambé Pueblo with traditional dances. Church of Sagrada Corazón in Nambé, NM (1947) celebrates its feast day on Oct. 4. Large altarscreen at Ranchos de Taos was painted by Molleno around 1815, and retablo of St Francis by Marie Romero and Don Cash.
October 7
Nuestra Señora del Rosario/Our Lady of the Rosary NS del Rosario Church in Truchas, NM (early 1800s), Rosario Chapel in Santa Fe (1693; replaced in 1807). Altarscreen in Santa Fe and two altarscreens in Truchas were painted by Pedro Antonio Fresquís. NS de San Juan del Rio Chiquito in Talpa, NM (1828) although named for San Juan de los Lagos celebrates its feast day with Rosario. Small altarscreen at Talpa was painted by Molleno in 1828. The patron image on the altar was carved by Rafael Aragón.
October 15
Santa Teresa/St. Teresa Church in El Turquilla, NM (1920) named in recognition of her. San Isidro Church at Gonzáles Ranch near Rowe, NM (1932) celebrates its second patron feast day.
October 17
Santa Margarita Maria/St. Mary MargaretSanta Maria Church in McCarty's (1932). Santa Margaret Mary at Paraje, NM (1936). This Feast Day is celebrated at Laguna Pueblo with traditional dances.
October 22
Church of San José in Los Ojos, NM (1883) celebrates its Feast Day today.
October 24
San Rafael/St. Raphael Church in La Cueva, NM (1862) named after him.
November
November 1
All Saints Day
November 2
All Souls Day/Día de los Muertos
November 12
San Diego San Diego de Tesuque at Pueblo (1630 named San Lorenzo de Tesuque, destroyed in 1680, 1695 renamed San Diego, current building 1915), San Diego de la Congregación Church in Jémez Pueblo (1621). Feast Day celebrated at Jémez and Tesuque Pueblos with traditional dances.
November 16
Santa Gertrudis/ St. Gertrude Church in Mora, NM (1835) named after her.
December
Last Sunday of the liturgical yearCristo Rey/Christ the King Cristo Rey Church in Santa Fe (1939) celebrates its feast day.
December 3
San Francisco de Xavier/St. Francis Xavier Parish churches in Albuquerque, Jarales, and Clayton, NM are named in his honor. Place name occurs 14 times in NM, according to Julyan's Place Names of New Mexico. Original patron of third villa of NM (Albuquerque) chosen by Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdés, Spanish Governor of NM in 1706.
December 4
Santa Bárbara/St. Barbara Churches in her honor in Rodarte, NM, and Santa Barbara, CA. Santa Bárbara Land Grant around Peñasco and Chamisal valleys, NM (1796). Settlements in Doña Ana (N of Hatch) and Taos counties, NM. Settlement at Ft. Thorn, at upper end of Mesilla valley (1855-59), was originally known as St. Barbara. 1796 Land Grant of Santa Bárbara (Taos County, NM) was made by Valentin Martín near Llano and Llano Largo. 12,662 foot peak in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, E of Truchas, NM, also named for her. Patron against being struck by lightning. While imprisoned in Nicomedia by her father to discourage suitors, Barbara became a Christian, which angered her father. He beheaded her and was himself struck by lightning. New Mexican versions show her in a three-tiered dress, in front of a tower with three windows. In the background is a thundercloud and lightning bolt. Twenty-second most frequent image in devotional art in New Mexico.
December 6
San Nicolás/St. Nicholas Settlement in Doña Ana County, NM (SE San Andres mountains) now in White Sands Missile Range. Patron of a peaceful death, children and marriageable girls. Nicolás is dressed as a bishop in a cape, with beard, holding a palm and dove - sometimes in a shell. Seen holding a staff or book, he is famous for good deeds and miracles.
December 8
Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Conception/Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Churches in her honor include Tres Piedras, (1900), Albuquerque, Gallegos, Casa Colorado, Chili, Cimarron, Las Vegas, and Ranchitos, NM (1867), San Antonio and Socorro, TX and Lompoc, CA. La Concepción at Quaraí (1633) Salinas Natl. Monument & Ruins, Nuestra Señora de la Concepción in Tomé (1739), Mission Church of La Purísima Concepción at Hawikuh Pueblo (1629). Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Church at Zía Pueblo (1610-12) was called Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción between 1692 and 1700. There are many versions of the Immaculate Conception in New Mexico, most of which show her as a young woman cloaked in a blue mantle and red dress with hands in prayer.
December 12
Nuestra Señora del Guadalupe/Our Lady of Guadalupe Churches in her honor in Santa Fe (1808), Cañada de los Alamos (1922), Velarde (1817), Gallina (1954), La Madera (1918), Cerro (1940), Villanueva (1818-1826), Ocaté (1900), Clovis, Peña Blanca, Los Chávez, Sabinoso, San Juan, Sapello, Tecolotito, Canyon, Des Moines, El Macho, Encino, Gallina, Glorieta, Guachupangue, Guadalupita, Pojoaque, and Taos, NM. Mission Church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe at Halona Pueblo, now Zuní Pueblo (1660), Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe at Cuidad Juárez (1662). Settlements named in her honor in De Baca (near Ft. Sumner, 1860), Guadalupe (near Santa Rosa), and Sandoval (on Río Puerco near Cabezón Peak) counties, NM. Mountains in SE New Mexico and W Texas also named in her honor. Guadalupe Pass in TX was an important stage route and Guadalupe Peak in TX was an important landmark for pioneers. Fresco at church in Villanueva was made by Frederico Vigil; there is also a striking embroidery display. Feast Day celebrated at Jémez and Tesuque Pueblos on Dec 11. Patron of the Américas, especially Native Americans and Hispanic peoples, also against all evil, war, and ills. In New Mexico, she is considered the ideal woman, wife, and mother. Guadalupe is one of the most recognized images of the Virgin. Guadalupe is usually pictured wearing a turquoise blue mantle with stars and a halo of yellow sunlike rays, and standing on a black crescent moon which is held up by a small angel. This is the fifth most frequent image in devotional art in New Mexico. Over 5% of all known santos depict this image.
December 16
Las Posadas begins
December 24
Pedimiento de Niño Jesús La Capilla del Nacimiento del Niño Jesús in La Puebla (1876), Cuervo, Gallinas, Amalia, Capulin, Carnuel, Cebolla, Las Colonias, Rociada and Santo Niño, NM, named in his honor. Sundown torchlight procession and Matachines dances celebrated at Taos, Picurís, and San Juan Pueblos.
December 25
Navidad/Santo Niño de Atocha/Birth of Christ Churches in Monte Aplanado, Dahlia, and Buena Vista, NM, in his honor. Patron of prisoners and against sudden misfortune. The Santo Niño de Atocha originated in Plateros, México, and the devotion traveled north into New Mexico. He is usually seated and dressed as a pilgrim, holding a staff and a water container. In New Mexico he was associated with healing powers, especially at Chimayó. He is said to wander the fields at night performing good deeds while wearing out his shoes, which people leave for him. Matachines and traditional dances are celebrated at Taos, Tesuque, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, and Picurís Pueblos.
December 26
San Esteban/St. Stephen The church at Ácoma Pueblo is named in his honor.
December 27
San Juan Evangelista/St. John the Evangelist
December 28
Día de los Santos Inocentes/Holy Innocents Day This Feast Day celebrated at Santa Clara Pueblo with traditional dances.