Cristo Negro’s Historic First Visit to Chetumal

Chetumal, QR — For the first time, one of the most venerated religious images from Campeche, the Cristo Negro de San Román, will arrive in the state capital. The history of the crucifix dates back to the year 1565 and it was originally brought from Rome.

Jonathan Pinzón, parish priest of the San Martín de Porres church, announced the arrival of the image of the crucified Jesus to Chetumal. It is scheduled to arrive next Saturday, October 25 at 10:00 hours at the San Judas Tadeo parish, where a mass will also be celebrated.

A Weekend of Veneration and Procession

In honor of the Cristo Negro, which comes from San Francisco de Campeche, a procession will be held following the Eucharistic celebration. The procession will travel to the San Martín de Porres church, where two masses will be held; one scheduled for 12:00 hours and another at 18:30 hours.

On Sunday, October 26, another mass will be celebrated at 11:00 hours, the Rosary of Mercy will be prayed at 15:00 hours, and the activities will culminate with a farewell mass at 16:00 hours.

Church authorities announced that during its stay in Chetumal, the image of the Cristo Negro de San Román can be visited and venerated, and they invite the Catholic faithful to participate in the activities. The celebrations are part of a special program of religious activities aimed at bringing the Cristo Negro closer to the faith of the Chetumal Catholic community, as it also symbolizes hope and protection.

The History of the Cristo Negro

Church representatives highlighted that this image of the crucified Jesus is deeply rooted in the state of Campeche, with a history dating back to the 16th century.

The veneration began when a plague of locusts struck the region, leading the inhabitants of the then-nascent San Francisco de Campeche to unite in prayer and seek divine protection. The people of that era decided to build a church in honor of San Román Mártir. They asked a merchant named Juan Cano de Coca Gaitán to bring a Christ from Italy.

The brought image was carved from African ebony in the city of Civitavecchia, in the Lazio region of Rome, and arrived in Campeche on September 14, 1565. The Christ arrived via Veracruz and the image was intercepted by a storm. Despite the complications of the weather conditions, it arrived safe and sound in Campeche, which gave it even more value and was even considered a miracle. Furthermore, the person who took the helm of the ship was never seen again and disappeared without a trace.

For these reasons, the Cristo Negro is considered the patron saint of fishermen and the neighborhood of San Román. Every year, thousands of faithful come to venerate it, primarily in the month of September when festivities are held in San Francisco de Campeche, the capital of the state of Campeche.

The image is also arriving as a way of bringing the Catholic communities of Quintana Roo and Campeche closer together. The Cristo Negro is one of the most venerated figures in the southeast of the country, known for its history of faith and miracles.