Virgin of Juquila Festivity
Date: December 8th

This small statue is approximately 1 feet (30 centimetres) tall by 6 inches (15 centimeters) wide. It once belonged to Friar Jordan de Santa Catalina, who then proceeded to give it to a native from Amialtepec, the site where presence of the image provoked the love and affection of all the town's inhabitants. A local priest, named Jacinto Escudero, was able to talk the native into transferring the Virgin's image from his small hut to the local church, where devotion for it grew.

During 1633, local residents would set fire to the mountain, in order to help the grass grow thicker and greener in the spring. Amialtepec also caught on fire, and the temple where the image was burnt down. When the fire subsided, the temple was in ashes and all that was found was the statue, slightly smoky, but intact. Since then, worshipping of the image has turned Santa Catarina Juquila, municipal seat of Amialtepec and other agencies, into a "small miraculous corner".

This holiday, which is celebrated on December 8, is a popular event with nine days of prayer, sporting events, ancient dance rituals, fireworks, mechanical attractions, markets, and regional food.

Pilgrimages from all over the State, as well as from other States arrive, but because the number of pilgrims is so high, many faithful Catholics prefer to pay their visit to thise Virgin’s statue on some other day.

Source: Oaxaca-Travel.com