| Los Penitentes |
| The Penitente society, also known as La Fraternidad Piadosa de Nuestro Padre Jesus (The Pious Fraternity of our Lord Jesus) is a brotherhood of Hispanic, Catholic laymen. This society has been traced by some scholars to thirteenth century Europe and other researchers have associated the Hermanos (Brothers) with the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi. The Penitentes are said to have made their way from Mexico into New Mexico in the late sixteenth century and settled in southern Colorado in the 1800's. The adobe buildings used for worship and meetings (moradas) by the Hermanos can still be found in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Although their membership is waning, the Fraternity is still very active in religious affairs and assisting their members in times of spiritual and economic need. Ruben Archuleta has documented the Penitente's activities, rituals, rosters with over six hundred members, and numerous color and black and white photos in his two Penitente books: Land of the Penitentes, Land of Tradition and Penitente Renaissance, Manifesting Hope The books may be ordered by clicking on the order form page. |
The author's great-grandfather and grandfather were Penitentes from southern Colorado
and northern New Mexico. Jose Pablo Archuleta, on the left, was born in Arroyo Hondo, NM,
1838 and his son, Francisco Antonio Archuleta, was born in San Cristobal, NM in 1883.
and northern New Mexico. Jose Pablo Archuleta, on the left, was born in Arroyo Hondo, NM,
1838 and his son, Francisco Antonio Archuleta, was born in San Cristobal, NM in 1883.
| White pants, black hood and cross used by the Hermanos (Brothers) during Holy week at the Moradas. |
Corporate seal from the Morada del Centro,
Territory of New Mexico
Territory of New Mexico
| Hermano (Brother) Maclovio Martinez lighting a candle at the Morada de San Antonio, Colorado |
| Santos at the Morada de San Antonio, CO. |
| Joseph Romero, leads the Encuentro (Procession) during Good Friday at the Morada de San Antonio, Colorado |
Penitente cross and adobe morada ruins
west of Trinidad, Colorado. This photo
taken by Ruben Archuleta appears on the
cover of Marranos on the Moradas by New
Zealand author Norman Simms.
west of Trinidad, Colorado. This photo
taken by Ruben Archuleta appears on the
cover of Marranos on the Moradas by New
Zealand author Norman Simms.
| La Carreta de la Muerte (Death Cart) ridden by Dona Sebastiana may be seen in the moradas throughout southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. This large carreta was created by Ruben Archuleta |
| El Encuentro (the procession) takes place on Good Friday. Here the Hermanos from the San Antonio, CO, morada carry the life-size statue of Jesus to El Calvario (Mt. Calvary) as they pray and sing alabados (hymns) |
| The Veronicas carrying the statue of Mary are followed by Father Benito and community participants as they sing their hymns and join in prayer. They will meet with the Hermanos at El Calavario, pray together and then work their way back to the morada to conclude their Good Friday services. |
The Horseman leads El Encuentro back towards
the morada where participants will take part in the
Stations of the Cross. Ruben Archuleta, pictured
in the front left, was allowed to participate with the
Hermanos in carrying the statue of Jesus
the morada where participants will take part in the
Stations of the Cross. Ruben Archuleta, pictured
in the front left, was allowed to participate with the
Hermanos in carrying the statue of Jesus
| Father Benito blessing the Crucifix which was sculpted and donated to the San Antonio Morada by Ruben Archuleta. Hermano Mayor (Elder Brother), Charlie Martinez, is holding the crucifix. |