Wikipedia

Las Mañanitas (celebration)

Las Mañanitas is an annual event held in Ponce, Puerto Rico, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. It consists of a pre-dawn popular parade, followed by a Catholic Mass, and a breakfast for attendees hosted by the municipal government.[1] It takes place every 12 December, and is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ponce as well as attended by Catholic leaders from across Puerto Rico.[2] Widely covered by the press, the annual event is attended by over 10,000 people, including religious and political leaders and the general public.[3] Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 feast was modified in line with safety protocols: the public procession was cancelled, the day’s solemn Mass was broadcast on live television, and people were required to celebrate within their homes.[4]

Las Mañanitas
Official nameLas Mañanitas
Observed byPonceños in Ponce, Puerto Rico
TypeLocal, religious, historical
SignificanceCelebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron lady of the city
CelebrationsParade, cultural festivals
ObservancesYearly
Date12 December
Next time12 December 2024 (2024-12-12)
Frequencyannual
Related toCulture and Religion

History

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The celebration started in 1964,[5] but the circumstances of its origin are uncertain. Some say it was started by immigrant Mexican engineers while others state it was started by Spaniards from Extremadura, Spain.[6] During the celebration participants and attendees join in singing together the traditional Las Mañanitas song while Mexican mariachis provide the background music.[7][8] The city of Ponce offers a free breakfast to everyone present at the historic Ponce City Hall after the religious Mass concludes.[9]

Venue

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The outdoors/indoors pre-dawn festival-parade starts at Parque del Tricentenario, runs down Calle Isabel and ends at Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe at Plaza Las Delicias in downtown Ponce.[10]

Attendance and cost

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The early morning, pre-dawn celebration is attended by over 10,000 people, including mayors and other prominent figures.[11] In 2016, the event, together with the lighting of the City Hall Christmas decorations and the kickoff of its fiestas patronales, cost the municipality around $30,000.[12]

Schedule

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The celebration occurs every 12 December and starts at 4:00am.[13] The city of Ponce offers a free breakfast to everyone present at the historic Ponce City Hall after the religious Mass concludes.[14] Mariachis continue their music while attendees have their breakfast.[15]

While not a part of this celebration, in the past the Government of Ponce has scheduled the Ponce Marathon to occur on the same day as the Las Mañanitas celebration. Marathon runners get an early start (5am) and complete their run just after the Catholic Mass has ended and while the public municipal city breakfast is taking place.[16][17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Vuelven a Ponce las Fiestas Patronales. Carmen Cila Rodríguez. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2015. Archived at WayBack Machine on 1 February 2015.
  2. ^ Latente la Tradición: Multitud Madruga para Venerar en Ponce la Virgen de Guadalupe. Coral Negron Almodóvar. La Perla del Sur. Year 35, Issue 1724. (14 to 20 December 2016) Ponce, Puerto Rico. p. 4.
  3. ^ Miles le cantan las Mañanitas a la Virgen de Guadalupe en Ponce. Primera Hora. 12 December 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  4. ^ No habrá procesión de Las Mañanitas en Ponce. Voces del Sur. 26 November 2020. Accessed 29 November 2020.
  5. ^ Latente la Tradición: Multitud Madruga para Venerar en Ponce la Virgen de Guadalupe. Coral Negrón Almodóvar. La Perla del Sur. Year 35, Issue 1724. (14 to 20 December 2016) Ponce, Puerto Rico. p. 4. Archived.
  6. ^ Latente la Tradición: Multitud Madruga para Venerar en Ponce la Virgen de Guadalupe. Coral Negron Almodóvar. La Perla del Sur. Year 35, Issue 1724. (14 to 20 December 2016) Ponce, Puerto Rico. p. 4.
  7. ^ A celebrar Las Mañanitas en Ponce. Primera Hora. 2 December 2011.
  8. ^ Las Mananitas for Guadalupe. Archived 10 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine John Rieping. The Madera Tribune. Madera, California. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  9. ^ Vivo el fervor por la Guadalupana. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  10. ^ Cientos de personas asisten a “Las Mañanitas” de Ponce. Metro. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  11. ^ Miles le cantan las Mañanitas a la Virgen de Guadalupe en Ponce. Primera Hora. 12 December 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  12. ^ Ponce recibe la Navidad, celebra fiestas patronales y 'Las Mañanitas' Hiram Santiago. El Vocero. 1 December 2016
  13. ^ Vuelven a Ponce las Fiestas Patronales. Carmen Cila Rodríguez. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  14. ^ Vivo el fervor por la Guadalupana. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  15. ^ A celebrar Las Mañanitas en Ponce. Primera Hora. 2 December 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  16. ^ Todo listo para La Guadalupe: Se correrá el domingo 11 desde las 5am en Ponce. El Nuevo Dia. 2 December 2011. Archived 8 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ Virgen De La Guadalupe Ponce 2010, Un Éxito!! Archived 7 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
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