Christmas and The Promise
La Promesa, is about tradition and faith.
Puerto Rico's Tradition of celebrating "The Promise" (La Promesa) was born in the countryside. La Promesa was started by the peasants living in the hills and is based in a deep Christian faith. Similar to when you go to church and pray for the recovery of a sick family member.
On January 6th, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany and here in the Southern part of the island many families celebrate by paying tribute in the form of a Promise "Promesa" to "Los Tres Reyes Magos" (The Three Kings) who traveled from afar to see baby Jesus and present him with precious gifts.
The celebration of "La Promesa de Los Tres Santos Reyes" in Puerto Rico is usually petitioned by a person or family who is asking for the recovery of a loved one who is sick or to help them in a time of need. The feast of Los Tres Santos Reyes and the tribute is usually done during December to the middle of January. La Promesa, is exactly that a promise, usually celebrated with Prayers and Aguinaldos where they petition for help or guidance or a miracle. They continue to have this celebration; this promise to Los Tres Santos Reyes every year or how many they have promised to pay in the form of a homage to the Holy Three Kings.
The Promise is in the form of prayers and sung in a particular music style called "Aguinaldos". During this celebration, there is food and drinks but not when they are saying the rosary. This is a beautiful tradition where they share with their family and neighbors by rejoicing in prayers and carols. During the early times, the Catholic Church considered this a pagan tradition and did not support it publicly.
This video which is a about the Irizarry family Promise that began around the late 1800's. First started by José Luis Irizarry's grandmother, then the promise was passed to his daughter and then Patria Irizarry, sister of Jose Luis. Patria continued the tradition for 27 years. When Patria got sick, José Luis came to the rescue and has continued the family Promise to the Kings for the past 27 years.
The Promise "La Promesa" was held on January 5, 2015, the eve of the Epiphany with a devotion in the form of carols giving praise and thanks. The "Aguinaldos" (carols) are sung to the Three Holy Kings and a six "Aguinaldos" (carols) to the Virgin Mary (La Monserrate). In the middle of the devotion they stop, no drink or food is service while the Rosary is said. Then the music and songs continue and then some where about 2/3 through they stop, the owners of the home or who is giving La Promesa serve very typical holiday dishes to their family, neighbors and guests who they may not know. After the sharing the music and songs, they continue with six "Aguinaldos" (carols) sung in praise to the Virgin Mary (La Monserrate).
They believe in wishes, which you petition to the Three Holy Kings so much that a box is provided with paper for anyone wishing the make a petition for a sick family member or a friend, someone my petition for a job. These petitions are secretly put into the chest slot. The next day they burn them as a way of sending the petitions to the heavens. Beautiful traditions based on faith, hope and love. Unfortunately, this custom is really only seen in certain parts of the South of Puerto Rico, Ponce, Guayanilla, Yauco... Believing is a strong and powerful force, it heals the mind, body and soul.
The Irizarry Promise in 2015 offered their prayers and songs to Wilbredo Santiago, a nephew of José Luis Irizarry and for the recovery of Pedro Pablo Rinaldi, dear friend and craftsman who restored the original statues of Los Tres Reyes Mago horse that was in their family for many years.
By Marie M. Rivera aka Maguida
January 9, 2015
Video by Marie M. Rivera
Traditions of Puerto Rico are intertwined with Spain
Vienen Los Reyes A PR
Many of the traditions of Puerto Rico are intertwined with Spain because of its colonization of the island.
When my mom, Picóla was a little girl, she prepared for the Feast of the Epiphany and the Three Kings with excitement because that was when children around the island received their presents. She would get straw or grass and put it in a box under her bed so the Three Kings camels on their route to Bethlehem would stop at night and eat the straw. In the morning, Picóla would find the straw was gone and in its place was a present. Of course, everyone attended morning mass on January 6th to celebrate and pay homage to Baby Jesus just like the Three Wise Kings.
And it did not matter how poor the family was, there was always something left in the box to put a smile on a child's face. This is still a tradition in Puerto Rico and in the stores you see parents buying gifts for January 6th which is an official island holiday.
When Puerto Ricans leave the island, they take some of their traditions with them so they can still feel connected with their homeland. Los Tres Reyes (The Three Kings) is a lovely tradition that my parents took with them when we moved to New York but as usual with adaptations, Christmas was celebrated with gifts and the Feast of the Epiphany was celebrated with a party.
A different member of my father's family would host the party every year on January 6th or the weekend nearest the 6th. We celebrated with plenary of yummy Puerto Rican food and fire drinks. As the guest arrived each dressed in their best holiday clothes, they were greeted by all with lots of hugs and kisses and so the celebration began and ended late. I vividly remember playing with all my cousins and the fun we had, such great memories with lots of laughter and fun we had on this holiday bonding with all our cousins. Great childhood memories that keeps us all grounded with knowledge of our roots.
May you be blessed with the magic of "Los Tres Reyes Magos".
By Maguida, aka Marie M. Rivera on this January 5, 2019
The winks of life...
You and I, from the day we are born start moving along on the river of life from one pebble to another. Just in case you haven’t figured it out, those pebbles past, present and future is our personal cinema showing us what life is all about.You and I, from the day we are born start moving along on the river of life from one pebble to another. Just in case you haven’t figured it out, those pebbles past, present and future is our personal cinema showing us what life is all about.You and I, from the day we are born start moving along on the river of life from one pebble to another. Just in cas