Mexican Independence and Hidalgo

Mexican Independence and Hidalgo September 16, 2012

 

On a day like today 202 years ago, also on a Sunday but very early in the morning, a brave priest, Father Miguel Hidalgo, rang the bell of his church in Dolores, Mexico calling the townspeople to take up arms against the Spanish colonial government of Mexico.  After three hundred years of colonial rule, this event began the eleven-year long war of Mexican independence.

Hildago soon adopted the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, queen and patroness of all Mexicans, as the banner for the revolutionary army.  The shout or “Grito” of Dolores gathered Mexicans under the protection of the Mother of God, the Brown Virgin as she is affectionately called in Mexico.  Our Lady of Guadalupe validated the existence of a new nation that was neither Spanish nor Indian, but mestiza, since she herself was mestiza.

This event of 1810 is commemorated each year in Mexico by the president proclaiming “El Grito” from the presidential palace and celebrations throughout the country.  The president’s “Grito” is a modification of the original “Grito” of Hidalgo of which no exact text exists.  Translating some of the versions of the original “Grito,” it probably read like this:

Mexicans, long live Mexico!  Long life the Virgin of Guadalupe!  Long Life Fernando VII!  Death to the government!  Death to the gachupines! (nickname for Spaniards living in the colony).

After leading an ill-equipped army, Hildago’s forces were defeated and he was executed for high treason against the Spanish crown on July 30, 1811.

On this day we pray for all the people of Mexico, those living in Mexico and those abroad, we pray for their political and religious leaders, we pray for stability and prosperity in this beautiful country so that there may be justice and peace.

Below a very Mexican song, Mexico Lindo y Querido.  The chorus of the song goes:

Beautiful and beloved Mexico,
If I die far away from you,
May they say I have fallen asleep
and may they bring me to you.

Pictures are mine, all rights reserved.

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