The processions in honor of San Jerónimo and San Miguel Arcángel, patron saints of Masaya, were canceled by the National Police, reported the Archdiocese of Managua this Saturday, September 17.
The regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo alleged alleged “reasons of public security” for not allowing religious activity in the midst of the government attack against the Catholic Church.
According to the statement from the Archdiocese, the Masaya Police informed the Brotherhoods and parish priests of the parishes of San Miguel Arcángel and San Jerónimo about the measure. Faced with the restriction, the Catholic leaders invited the devotees and promisers of the patron saints “to keep in mind that faith and devotion are a treasure that we carry in our hearts and from there we can pay due homage with the strength of that ancestral heritage in our communities.”
The masses, novenas and liturgical celebrations typical of both festivities will be held according to the program of each parish in the temples.
Masaya, known as the cradle of Folklore, celebrates the most extensive patron saint festivities that go from September to December. On September 19, believers usually celebrate “the descent” of the image of San Miguel, co-patron of Masaya, whose parish was pastored by Father Edwing Román, a critic of the regime currently in exile.
The “San Jerónimo Doctor” or “Tata Chombo” festivities also officially start with the “traditional descent”. However, in the last two years, the regime has mounted its own celebration in honor of the patron saints of the city.
Masaya, a former Sandinista stronghold, rebelled against the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega during the social protests of 2018. The regime left behind a trail of deaths and injuries in the department.
