In central Mexico, there lies a vibrant neighborhood where life revolves around a deeply cherished figure: Saint Mark. The area’s name, fittingly, is Saint Mark’s, and it is home to a Catholic church similarly dedicated to St. Mark. Unsurprisingly, the highlight of this locality is the Fair of Saint Mark, a spectacular month-long celebration commencing every year in mid-April. This festivity draws wide-eyed tourists eager to behold its renowned bullfighting and pulsating musical events.
Last year, the city of Aguascalientes, located some 500 kilometers northwest of the bustling Mexico City, welcomed an impressive number of visitors—around 10 million. While admiring the fair was a primary attraction, onlookers flocked to the city for a more profound reason: to venerate Saint Mark, lovingly known as Mark the Evangelist.
Rev. Abel Carmona presides over the Masses and processions held on April 25, a day marking both St. Mark’s Day and the Feast of Saint Mark in the Catholic tradition. Rev. Carmona notes that the fair initially served a commercial and agricultural purpose but has since evolved to embrace a religious significance, molding a community deeply tied to the knowledge and veneration of St. Mark. Aspects of his legacy, including relics housed in Venice, at the famed St. Mark’s Basilica, continue to inspire reverence and devotion.
The roots of this neighborhood date back to 1620 when Spanish missionaries established it as the settlement of “Indios de San Marcos” with a modest church. The inaugural fair, first held in November 1828, took place in a nearby village, and mainly catered to an agricultural audience. However, 20 years later, the construction of a beautiful garden near St. Mark’s church paved the way for the fair to be relocated to the neighborhood, aligning with the venerated saint’s feast day.
Jodie Altamira, a spirited 35-year-old who grew up within the neighborhood, now plays an integral role in organizing processions and a church bazaar throughout the fair. She treasures the event as a cornerstone of her identity, reflecting her ties to Aguascalientes and her Catholic faith. However, alongside Father Carmona, Altamira became concerned with the growing alcohol consumption among attendees and is now promoting a healthier environment.
This year, the community held three enlightening lectures focusing on St. Mark’s life and the church’s storied past. Moreover, an especially significant occasion was honored this year: the “defense of the temple,” a tribute to a turbulent historical episode in the 1920s. It was a time of conflict under the presidency of Plutarco Elías Calles, who endeavored to establish an independent Mexican “schismatic” church. During this period, St. Mark’s church was seized by clergy loyal to Calles in February 1925. Yet, the fervor and resilience of the local populace instigated a courageous rebellion, ultimately reclaiming their beloved sanctuary.
Carmona fondly recalls this resistance, describing it as a “heroic defense” that played a crucial role in dissuading Calles from his ambition to create a Mexican church. On Friday, Father Carmona led multiple Masses that were well attended. Later in the day, the community gathered for a concert followed by a vibrant procession, ending just before sunset. Altamira emphasized that their procession is a heartfelt declaration that Saint Mark’s celebration transcends the festivities of a fair, serving instead as a testament to the saint’s role in guiding the community to Jesus Christ.