What are some of the saint days in the Mexican calendar?

Religion is an important part of life in Mexico and the feast days of Catholic saints are celebrated throughout the year. Many villages and towns also have their own appointed holy personages in whose honor festivities are held annually.

January

• Los Santos Reyes, or Three Kings Day
• Santa Prisca, patron saint of Taxco
• San Sebastian, or Saint Sebastian the Martyr

February

• San Valentin, or Valentine's Day

March

• San Juan de Dios, or Saint John of God
• Saint Patrick, patron saint of San Patricio Melaque
• Dia de San Jose, or Saint Joseph's Day

April

• San Marcos, or Saint Mark, patron saint of Aguascalientes

May

• San Isidro Labrador, or Saint Isidore the Farmer

June

• San Antonio de Padua, or Saint Anthony of Padua
• San Juan Bautista, or Saint John the Baptist
• San Pedro y San Pablo, or Saint Peter and Saint Paul

July

• Nuestra Senora del Refugio, or Our Lady of Refuge
• Nuestra Senora del Carmen, or Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• Santiago Apostol, or Saint James the Apostle

August

• San Agustin, or Saint Augustine, patron saint of Puebla

September

• Nuestra Senora de la Merced, or Our Lady of Mercy
• San Miguel Archangel, or Saint Michael Archangel, patron saint of San Miguel de Allende

October

• San Francisco de Asis, or Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Chapala
• Nuestra Senora del Rosario, or Our Lady of the Rosary

November

• Todos los Santos, or All Saints Day
• Dia de los Fieles Difuntos, or the Day of the Dead
• Santa Cecilia, or Saint Cecilia, patron saint of musicians
• San Andres, or Saint Andrew, patron saint of Ajijic

December

• San Nicolas, or Saint Nicholas
• Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, or Our Lady of Guadalupe
• Dia de los Santos Inocentes, or the Day of the Holy Innocents

Although many of the saint feast days in Mexico correspond to those held in other Catholic communities, there are several that have special significance in the country, such as the Fiesta de Santa Cecilia and the Day of the Dead.