Vigil: Los Hermanos Penitentes: the lay Brotherhood of Spanish men
We are extremely blessed here in the Diocese of Pueblo to have Los Hermanos Penitentes. La Fraternidad Piadosa de Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno. The Confraternity of Our Father Jesus the Nazarene.
The Hermanos Penitentes is a lay Brotherhood of Spanish men who are dedicated to the Passion of Our Lord and Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows. (Nuestra Senora de Los Dolores). The Hermanos are also dedicated to the welfare of people and one’s community.
The Hermanos is wholly unique to Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado with about 900 Hermanos in at least 80 Moradas. The Hermanos have been in the area for hundreds of years and are centered around community and prayer. The Origen of the Hermanos Penitentes is from Spain. The traditions, spiritual practices arrived in the area by the Spanish,
The prayers, the Alabados (chants) are beautiful reminders of the Passion of Our Lord. I grew up in the strong Penitente culture in Northern New Mexico. My father, uncles, grandfather and great-grandfather were members of the Hermanidad. I entered in my late teens, and I am still a member of the Hermanos.
The great impact in my life as a Hermano Penitente, growing up was the extreme prayer life. The solitude of the Morada (Holy House) of the Hermanos taught me the silence and quietness of being in that special place of prayer. I believe that through this journey in my life brought me to the priesthood.
The Hermanos have always and continue to have a major impact in my life. The Sacred Buildings of the Hermanos are called Moradas. (Dwelling). It comes from John’s Gospel: puso su Morada entre nosotros! He put His Dwelling within us.
As we prepare for the Holy Season of Lent, may we reflect on the Alabado “Dividido el Corazon”
Dividido el Corazon
Llora Maria sin Consuelo
La Noche Paso en desvelo
Contemplando en su Passion.
With a broken heart, Mary cries without relief the night she spent wide awake meditating upon His Passion.
Reverend Joseph Vigil is Administrator at St. Francis De Sales/Our Lady of Guadalupe, Lamar, St. Frances of Rome, Holly, Our Lady of the Annunciation, Springfield.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Vigil: Los Hermanos Penitentes: the lay Brotherhood of Spanish men
