Iglesia de San Francisco is one of the many churches in Antigua. The church was badly damaged and left in ruins after the earthquakes of 1773. Reconstruction of the church was completed in 1970. Today San Francisco Church houses the tomb of Santo Hermano Pedro de san Jose de Betancurt, a monk who founded a hospital for the poor, and Guatemala’s most venerated local Christian, who was made a saint by Pope John Paul II in 2002.
We visited San Francisco Church, the Museo del Hermano Pedro located inside the grounds, and the ruins of the adjoining monastery. We witnessed the velacion, or holy vigil, and the making of a beautiful carpet the next day in preparation for the procession on Maundy Thursday. The Christ figure, Jesus 
Nazareno del Perdon, was sculptured in 1630 and is carried on the shoulders of 60 cucuruchos, and 40 women carry the Virgen de Dolores figure.
What a beautiful and Holy experience--We love you GiGi & Bill
Posted by: Aletha AndersonAletha | March 22, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Those carpets are crazy cool. Thanks for posting so much about your vacation. See you in a few months. Happy easter! God bless!
Posted by: Matt Maples | March 24, 2008 at 10:16 AM