Saint Daniel Comboni Celebrated with the Colours of Guatemala’s Indigenous Peoples

We celebrated Saint Daniel Comboni on 10^th October, the liturgical memorial observed by the entire Church. Naturally, we Comboni missionaries rejoiced particularly on this occasion. In our parish of San Luis del Petén, one of the more than 140 chapels under our care is dedicated to Comboni, and here the celebration was a true festival. The indigenous peoples of our continent possess rich traditions and deep spirituality, combined with profound respect for nature and a contagious joy of life.

To honour the feast, the community of La Balsa enjoyed music, colours, candlelight, a procession, and the Holy Mass. The celebration also marked the tenth anniversary of the chapel’s dedication. The festival was preceded by several days of preparation, including a well-attended triduum during which the community prayed and reflected on the life of Saint Daniel Comboni.

On 7^th October, the election of the festival queen took place, following the pattern of the traditional ceremony that is an essential part of both civil and religious celebrations.

On 8^th Octoberm various choirs — both from La Balsa and other areas of the parish — performed religious songs in Spanish and Q’eqchí, the local language. All songs were original compositions created specifically for this year’s celebration; hymns dedicated to Saint Daniel Comboni were also included. These songs and hymns will certainly be performed again in future celebrations.

On Thursday, 9^th October, a procession took place from the church to the house of the mayordomos (“stewards”), the family responsible for caring for the image of Comboni, ensuring prayers and attention over the next twelve months.

For the tenth anniversary of the chapel’s dedication, a new, larger image of the Saint was created and carried for the first time to the mayordomos’ home in a solemn and joyful ceremony. During the Mass, the pasaje (‘passing of the responsibility’) was performed for the new mayordomos, who will look after the image until the next feast of Saint Daniel Comboni.

On 10^th October, the people processed from the mayordomos’ home to the chapel, where the solemn Eucharistic celebration took place, accompanied by joyful singing, abundant incense, countless candles, prayers, and traditional offerings brought by the Q’eqchí people.

It was a feast of faith, overflowing with colours and emotion. The people experienced it with solemnity and devotion, combining the richness of their traditions — in the vibrant clothes and decorations that adorned the chapel — with a profound sense of spirituality and sacredness.

After the Mass, food and music were an indispensable part of the celebration. Young people enlivened the meal with the marimba and traditional dances. It was truly an extraordinary festival!

Father Juan Diego Calderón Vargas, MCCJ