El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-03-22
(CopyrIght. l9Is. b. Frank 6. Carpenterl


nuns or sisters Of Christ clad in black
as in some others Of the Spanish Amer
lean republics.
This great break between church and
state originated before the time of
President JUareZ, but il was just put
in force by him in 1867. At that time
all of the church property was con-
tiscated ana all of the members Of
the religious societies, from the JeSuits
to the Sisters Of Charity, who taught
IN the schools and served as nurses
IN the hospitals, were sent out Of the
country For a while even the ring
ing of the church bells was prohibited
by law and all religious paradeS out
side the churches were forbidden.
Since then many Of the priests and
nuns have come back. The priests
and large number OF the educational
institutions are now again conducted
by the nuns, although their work is
kept in the background
The long gown and clerical hat are
not seen on the streets, but one can
easily tell the priests by their suits of
blaclE brOadclOth, their high craYats,
stra EShU collars and tail silk hats,
VIII r. the nuns are easily known from
the 6 black gowns and the sOmber
shafwls which they wear over their
he ads. As to the religious professions,
they have been practically abolished
A priest who defied the law not long
so was arrested in his clerical robes
smd cast into prison. The archbishop
OF Mexico recently called attention 10
these laws and forbade the encourage
ment Of the superstitions of the in
dams, which led them to have fantas-
tic dances and shows during Lent, in
Guiding limitations of the crucifixiOn
and the celebrations Of the punishment
OF the enemies and eXeCutiOners OF
Christ
Church superstitIons.
Nevertheless, doubt whether there
are any people more superstiUous than
the Mexican masses The indians here
were converted wholesale at the time
o. the conquest, and their religion of
today is still mixed with that Of the
AZtecs- I am told that they have diff
flculty IN Keeping them from deeorat-
ing some OF the relics Of the National
museum. which have come down from
the days Of MOutezuma, and that there
are many places away from the cities
where the Passion Play is still cele-
brated. It is not long since many OF
the churches had a ceremony of wash !
ing the beggars' feet. This occurred /
on holy Thursday, when y Of the old
est beSgars Of the parish were given /
seats near the altar An attendant
then brought water in a basin; and the l
priest, taking off the sandals Of the |
beggarS. rIESed and CleanSed their /
feet. After this he anointed them with /
oil, and they were then permitted TO 4
depart and go on with their begging. |
This ceremony was very like the wash I
ing or the feet or the L apostles
which is celebrated by the Greek 1
church every Easter in front of the /
Church OF the Holy Sepulchre at Jeru- 4
salem. have seen the latter cere-
mOny, but in that case the Greek pa 4
triarch and his assistants did the
washing and it was the feet of priests ]
and not those Of beggars which were /
washed
At the Shrine Of Guadalupe.
One of the best places to see how
earnest the indians are in their Wor- !
ship is at the Shrine Of Guadalupe, sit
uated about three miles from the
Cathedral Of Mexico City. The place 4
may be reached by street cars. have /
spent several DAYS in moving about 4
through the thousands of indians who j
come there to worship The shrine is
based upon a miracle, said to have 4
been performed by the Virgin Mary. |
about 400 years ago. It was one bright (
December morning when Juan Diego.
4 poor indian peasant, was on his way
he crossed the rocky arid hill where ]
was confronted by a beautiful woman,
VhO told him that she was the Virgin
Nary and that she wished the Next
an people to build a church on the
spot where she stood. Juan was COM
handed to report this to the bishop.
He did so, but was disbelieved.
The next day he came again and
lgaln the Virgin met him and called I
lin her son and repeated her wish 1
10 have the church built She then
said that she would give him a sign
% show the bishop that he was tell