The Christ Who Survived the Volcano: Festivities of the Lord of Miracles of Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro

If you're looking for a faith experience that will give you goosebumps, You have to live what happens in Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro. Each September 14th, this town—founded by the Purépecha people who had to flee the lava of the Paricutín volcano—becomes the spiritual epicenter of Michoacán, receiving more than 70,000 pilgrims from Mexico and abroad who come to see the Lord of Miracles.

A Survivor of Sugarcane Paste

Upon entering the sanctuary, you will find standing before an image that commands immediate respect. This crucified Christ is not just any sculpture; it is a masterpiece of sugarcane paste (Pre-Hispanic technique), crafted with a moving realism in its wounds and expression of pain. But what is most moving is its history: this image belonged to the ancient temple of San Juan Parangaricutiro (San Juan de las Colchas), the town that was buried under the lava of Paricutín in the mid-20th century. The Christ “walked” with his people in exile to found the new settlement, becoming the ultimate symbol of resistance and hope.

“Not even if you enter San Juan dancing?”

You've probably heard the popular saying for impossible causes: "That won't happen even if you dance your way into San Juan." You'll see that here the saying takes on a literal meaning. Unlike other churches where silence is observed, here faith is danced. Tradition tells that a local chieftain, desperate because of his son's illness, promised Christ that if he cured him, he would dance in his honor like the biblical King David. The miracle occurred, the chieftain danced, and since then, thousands of faithful enter dancing to the foot of the main altar to fulfill their vows.

The Big Festival and the Eighth

The energy of the festival is contagious. From days before, with the novenas and jubilees, the town is filled with music.

• Traditional Dances: You can admire the groups of dancers that accompany the image, highlighting “Los Negritos”, “Los Viejitos” and “Los Pastores”.

• The Dates: Although the main day is September 14, if you can't attend that day, you have a second chance: eight days later the “Octava” or “Fiesta Chica” is celebrated, a repetition of the festivities with the same fervor but a little more space to enjoy.

Our Recommendation: This is one of the most intense pilgrimages in the state. Arrive with patience and respect, prepared to understand that here devotion is not static, but pure movement. It is a must-see to understand that, in Michoacán, faith is capable of surviving even the fury of a volcano.