Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mazatlan (Agenzia Fides) – "In this bicentennial celebration in the month of September, once again the entire nation can hear the tolling of the bells of the parish of Dolores, which recall the beginning of a new Mexico," writes the Bishop of Mazatlan, Bishop Mario Espinosa Contreras, in a pastoral letter sent to the diocese and a copy of which was sent to Fides.
Today, September 16 is the Mexican Independence Day and activities are taking place across the country.
Bishop Espinosa Contreras recalled in his message the symbolic significance of the bells: "The bells, which are at the top of our churches, always on high towers, when they toll invite us to the Eucharist, to prayer for the living or the dead They are also the voice that announce celebrations or serve as warning signals."
"Among the most famous bells in our country are those of the parish in the city of Dolores, which the parish priest, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, rang in the early hours of Sunday, September 16, 1810. When they sounded, the crowd of the faithful listened to the vibrant discourse of Father Hidalgo, who summoned them to join his cause. 600 men responded immediately, and within days he gathered about 100,000. Near Dolores, in Atotonilco, they hoisted an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, making it the banner for their march," remembers Bishop Espinosa.
"The bells, the parish, the priest Fr. Miguel Hidalgo, Our Lady of Guadalupe, are in fact elements linked to the Catholic religion, that show us that at the beginning of our independence, our faith is present. All these realities multiplied over the eleven years of fighting the rebels, and are seen in the area and over time," continues the Bishop of Mazatlan.
"It is obvious that our Catholic faith has been strongly present throughout the long struggle for independence. We have seen how many priests have offered their lives to give us a homeland and even more were protagonists in the struggle for independence. This is why a philosopher was right when he said: 'The independence was carried out by priests, the Reformation by lawyers, and the Revolution by teachers,'"says Bishop Espinosa.
Finally, the Bishop of Mazatlan asks that everyone thank the Lord of Life and History for all the good things Mexico has received and asks all Mexicans to work to make Mexico a more just, free, and independent country. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 16/09/2010)
