Definition of Cruz de Mayo

In the first days of May, one of the most important Catholic processions is held annually. It is known as the Invention de la Cruz or with its most popular name, the May Cross. At present this celebration is commemorated throughout Latin America.

With Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, the tradition of the May Cross began

This holiday is part of the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church and with it the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross is remembered.

According to the official version, the origin of this tradition it dates back to the 4th century AD. C. Thus, the Roman Emperor Constantine had a strange vision: a shining cross and on top of it a few words (with this sign you will conquer). After this episode he had a large cross built to protect his army from the attack of the barbarians. After the victory over his enemies, the emperor converted to Christianity and sent Elena, his mother, to the city of Jerusalem to find the true cross on which Jesus Christ died.

Elena, later known as Santa Elena, found several crosses and to check which of them she was the real one she placed them on sick people to see which of them had the power of healing.

When a dying woman regained her Health after touching one of the crosses, Elena knew at last that she had found what she was looking for. From this moment the tradition of the Invention of the Holy Cross began.

According to legend, the same day that Elena died, she begged all those present who considered themselves Christians to celebrate this holiday on the day the cross was found.

A party deeply rooted in the whole of Latin America

This festival commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and in Latin America it has been celebrated since the XVl century. However, in each country it has some different nuances. In Guatemala it is associated with the world rural. In Mexico and Peru the Cruz de Mayo has a gastronomic component.

Among Paraguayans it is celebrated with a very singular: families prepare an altar of laurel leaves that adorn a cross and the faithful remember loved ones who have passed away.

In Chile it has been celebrated since the times of the Spanish conquest, when the symbol of the cross was adorned with flowers and the faithful prayed the rosary around him.

In Colombia the feast of the May Cross is also known as the Day of the Thousand Jesuses, as the faithful pronounce the name of Jesus a thousand times with the hope to be protected by him throughout the year.

In Spain some brotherhoods display their crosses to decorate them with flowers and then contests are organized to reward the best decorated ones.