Connecting with Others

By: Heather Ricchi

Growing up in a Christian home my faith has always been extremely important to me. I had no idea that studying abroad in Puerto Rico and learning about the five pillars of tourism would allow me to learn about an attraction that is treasured by Puerto Ricans, and is extremely important to their faith.

The Three Kings parade is a historic festival has been celebrated in this tiny Puerto Rican town for the past 133 years, and across Christendom for millennia. Getting to experience this event was incredible and my favorite part of my study abroad experience in Puerto Rico. Walking into the festival I was a little overwhelmed at first by the celebration and music surrounding a crowd of swarming people in the streets. I did not know that this event was so important to Puerto Ricans, but I soon learned that this festival brought Puerto Ricans that lived in the Unites States back to Puerto Rico to celebrate. This celebration allowed me to really feel as if I were a local for the day. At this festival I got to worship our amazing God with people who I had never met before. This was a memory that I will never forget. Looking back on my experience at the Three Kings Celebration I am amazed that I got to study and learn about a famous Puerto Rican tradition, but at the same time I got to express my Catholic faith with others. Getting to connect with the people at the festival that share the same religion as me was remarkable.

People from all over the world travel to Puerto Rico to experience the Three Kinds Parade.

                Authentic Puerto Rican cuisine can be bought at the Three Kings Celebration.

                      Excitement filled the streets as King Gaspar walked in the parade. 

Links:

https://www.whychristmas.com/story/wisemen.shtml

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/three-kings-2012/

http://gopuertorico.about.com/od/eventsandholidays/tp/The-History-And-Meaning-Of-Three-Kings-Day-In-Puerto-Rico.htm

Contact Information: 

Email: Heather.a.ricchi10@ou.edu

Phone: 214-551-2715

Twitter: @heatherricchi4
Facebook: @heatherricchi
Instagram: @heatherricchi

Juana Diaz Three King's Parade

4273

 Meta Carstarphen

1/25/15

By: Regennia D. Johnson

One festival that is really important in Puerto Rico, and we were able to participate in is the Three King’s Parade!

For the past 131 years thousands of people gather in the streets of Juana Diaz in celebration of Los Reyes Magos on Jan 6. “This is a very old tradition, and every year it’s more love. People love to come because its tradition. They promote it so well, people come from everywhere,” says Nilda Banchs a pharmacy owner.

Natives and people from across the island arise early to beat traffic to the little municipality of Puerto Rico. Juana Diaz has a population of almost 51,000, which is still just a small fraction of Puerto Rico’s popular city of San Juan. Though Juana Diaz isn’t the most popular town on this cultured island, according to Juana Diaz, Mayor Ramon Hernandez Torres, this day alone brings in more than half of the towns everyday population. “This is a wonderful opportunity not only for the Puerto Rican people but also for the people that are coming here to visit us in Juana Diaz,” says Torres.

According to the Three Kings Museum this holiday originated on the island in 1884, was brought about by a Spanish Catholic priest who wanted extend honor to the Three Wise Men also known as the Three Kings.

The parade begins at ten o’clock a.m., but that is just the beginning of a day filled with activities. After the parade, Mass begins with a real Catholic priest to commence the religious ceremony. This includes a presentation from the prophets, who tell of the coming of Jesus Christ.

After the religious portion of ceremonies, the music festival begins and families begin to make their way to the plaza to greet the kings.  It is required that the kings take a picture with every single child who desires to. This process can take nearly five hours.

The kings have to be catholic, inside of a ministry, psychologically stable, and male. All of their work is done voluntarily, and the kings can serve in their position for the rest of for years or up until they decide to retire.

1.     http://www.reyesdejuanadiaz.com

2.     http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g2062746-Juana_Diaz_Puerto_Rico-Vacations.html

3.     http://gopuertorico.about.com/od/eventsandholidays/tp/The-History-And-Meaning-Of-Three-Kings-Day-In-Puerto-Rico.htm

4.     http://www.elboricua.com/losreyes.html

5.     http://www.houseofpuertorico.com/dia-reyes.html