In Huaquechula, located about 50 kilometers from Puebla City – May 3 is a day of great celebration, as it honors the Holy Cross that appeared there in 1807.
Legend
But in Huaquechula, the celebration is for all believers; it commemorates a singular event that took place in the fields of a local farmer, don Bernardino de Salamanca.
Both chroniclers and residents recount that don Bernardino was working his crops as usual that morning, but on that occasion, his plow got stuck in the field. He then tried to pull the plow to continue plowing, but noticed a stone stuck in the ground that stopped him. He decided to dig, unaware that what he would find was not an ordinary stone, but a cross carved from basalt granite, nearly a meter tall. It was at that moment that the stone cross appeared in a nearby river called Huitzilac.
After this discovery, the farmer immediately notified the ecclesiastical authorities, who, some time later, decided to house the cross in the church where it is currently venerated and visited by parishioners.
Huaquechula Celebration
The cross is made of a very hard and heavy stone, and it has a relic embedded in it from the True Cross of Christ. To venerate the cross, the townspeople and believers formed 17 brotherhoods, from which 34 stewardships emerged. It is believed that the cross becomes heavier and cannot be removed from its altar unless the bells are rung in a very special way.
The mayordomos, in charge of the stewardships, are responsible for organizing the festivities throughout the year at the parish church. They volunteer for this position, and their term lasts one year.
At morning on May 3rd, the celebration begins with prayers and fireworks. The music starts with the traditional “Mañanitas” (morning serenade). Afterward, 17 stewardships offer hot chocolate to all visitors. Later in the afternoon, another 17 stewardships distribute Mole Poblano (a traditional dish from Puebla).
Around midday, the procession of the stone Holy Cross begins, an event that draws approximately 2,000 people. In the procession, the cross leads the way, followed by the 17 brotherhoods, each carrying its own wooden cross. The mayordomos also carry a traditional incense burner to smoke the path.
Each brotherhood is accompanied by a band, and upon their return to the parish church, the small door of the niche protecting the original cross is opened so that all attendees can touch the relic directly.
Throughout the day, there will be band music, dancers in various traditional costumes, and beautiful women dressed in the traditional Huaquechula attire. The women, carrying small baskets adorned with flowers, offer traditional bread, tamales, and chocolate to the rhythm of the music. Attendees also participate in a mezcal tasting, and food is served until the festivities conclude at night.
For Huaquechula, this is one of the most important celebrations in the municipality. And this same festival is considered intangible cultural heritage of the State of Puebla.
See more about Holy Cross Festival tour
