Guatemalan Celebrations
The Tradition of Corpus Christi
The Corpus Christi celebration in Antigua Guatemala is one of the most solemn, yet colorful, religious traditions in the liturgical calendar. This festival, which means “Body of Christ,” takes place 60 days after Easter Sunday, usually in June, and celebrates the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. In 2025, the Corpus Christi celebration took place on Thursday, June 19.
During this celebration, a solemn mass is held in local churches, followed by a Eucharistic procession through the city’s cobblestone streets. The Blessed Sacrament, carried under a canopy inside a monstrance, travels down a carpeted path called an alfombra. Overnight, the street transitions from plain cobblestone, and is brought to life with colorful sawdust, flowers, and pine needles. Alfombras are created by local residents and parishioners as acts of devotion.
The procession stops at altars set up at various points along the route, where prayers and blessings are offered. The atmosphere is filled with incense, sacred music, ringing bells, and includes the participation of religious brotherhoods, children dressed as angels, and church authorities.
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for life of the world is my flesh.” -John 6:51
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Mother’s Day
In both the United States and Guatemala, we celebrate the queens of our homes—our moms—each year in May. In Guatemala, Dia de la Madre is a special occasion that always takes place on May 10th. In the United States, Mother’s Day is the second Sunday of May, and this year both Guatemala and the United States celebrated their mothers, and maternal figures on the same day. In Guatemala, Faith In Practice honored the moms of our association with a delicious breakfast and a tribute video for each one, celebrating these wonderful women who give all their love not only to our mission but also to their families at home. They are true examples of love and wisdom.
Father’s Day
In June, we celebrate the superheroes of our homes—our dads—who provide guidance, love, and protection to their families. The fathers of our association are also a fundamental pillar of our mission through their daily efforts. In the United States, Father’s Day takes place on the third Sunday of June. In Guatemala, Dia del Padre is always celebrated on June 17th. Faith In Practice celebrated our dads in Guatemala with a hearty breakfast, a special gift from their families, and a heartwarming tribute video to honor them and the important role they play.
