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San Andres Church in Ajijic, Mexico: Simply Beautiful
By Jane Goodwin | September 10, 2007
Ajijic is a very old village in western Mexico, right in the midst of the Sierra Madre Mountains. This beautiful old church, San Andres, dates back to the 1500’s, with a remodeling job in the more modern 1700’s.
Throughout Central America and Mexico, these little village, and most large cities, too, are very proud of their churches. The people are also very proud of their church bells.
San Andres bells are brand new: less than a year old. Well, the mechanical bells are new. The old bells, ropes pulled by actual humans, will still be heard, too. The new bells are for special occasions only.
When you visit Ajijic, you will be hearing bells throughout the day. Not just on Sunday, when Mexicans and foreign retirees and tourists alike flock to one of the nine masses held throughout the day, but every day. (One of those nine masses - the 9:00 mass - is in English!)
You will also hear the pealing of the church bells when something special is happening: a wedding, a baptism, a death. . .
Church bells in Mexico are silenced only on the afternoon of Good Friday. This silence will not be broken until the joyous round of bells begins on Easter morning.
There are many, many beautiful churches in Mexico, old and new. Many retirees find that they don’t want to do without worship, even in paradise.
Sphere ItTopics: Culture, Belize, Mexico, Language, Travel / Relocation, Destinations, Lifestyle, Retirement Overseas |
