The Spirit's Journey

 

While not on most tourists’ “must see” list, visiting a burial ground can be quite interesting. 

Here, in a cemetery in Puerto Rico, one was intrigued by a belief long-held by islanders. 

Since 1863, Cementerio Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis in San Juan has been a burial place

for many Puerto Ricans.  Historically, Spanish culture viewed death with superstition and fear.  

The cemetery’s oceanfront location is said to have been chosen to enable the spirit to peacefully  

move beyond death to the afterlife.  Here, the spirit is thought to be calmed by the natural sound  

 of the ocean and the quiet beauty of soulful marble sculptures.  The vast expanse of the ocean 

reaching the horizon and “touching” the heavens is seen as connecting our earthly world with 

the hereafter, offering one’s spirit clear, safe passage to the distant, ethereal afterlife.

A comforting setting for those fearing death and what may follow.

                                                                                       

                                                                                                    

 

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Dia de Los Tres Reyes

Little children, excited and anxious, place cut grass in a small box and fall asleep on this night
 anticipating a visit by three Magi.  It's the eve of Dia de Los Tres Reyes!! Three Kings Day.
In Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain and other Hispanic countries, cultural tradition has, for centuries,
called for celebration of this special occasion.  The Magi, who bore gifts for the baby Jesus,
are said to mount their camels to visit all little ones with special gifts on this night.

In the morning, little children will awake to find the cut grass gone, likely eaten by the camels
and in its' place a gift … from the Magi.  The day will be one of celebration when all join to
attend church, exchange gifts, visit family and friends and host plentiful, celebratory dinners.

 January 6 …  Three Kings Day …  Dia de Los Tres Reyes … Celebrar!! 

An original depiction of Los Reyes, The Kings, by Puerto Rican artist, Sandra Jusino.

la Rogativa ... Remembering a procession in Old San Juan.

In San Juan, Puerto Rico's Plazuela de la Rogativa, a striking bronze sculpture, "la Rogativa", overlooks the bay.  

In 1797, according to legend, a British fleet blockaded the San Juan Bay to gain control of the city.  Recognizing that a defense could not be quickly established, a Catholic bishop organized an evening prayer procession to ask for divine intervention.  Led by the bishop, many women carried torches and candles and sang hymns as they marched through the streets throughout the night.  The British commander mistook the seemingly endless parade of torches as the arrival of San Juan's military reinforcements.  Thinking they were greatly outnumbered, the Brits hoisted the sails and slipped from the bay at dawn.

Erected in 1971, the beautiful "la Rogativa" sculpture overlooks San Juan Bay and pays tribute to the townspeople and their bishop for taking the initiative to save San Juan.