30,000 people are expected to attend the festival at the Bolivian stadium

After a four-year hiatus, this year’s Corpus Christi Festival returns to Gilberto Parada Stadium in the city of Montero, Bolivia, where it is expected to attract around 30,000 visitors, as in previous years.

May 29, 2024

After a four-year hiatus, the Corpus Christi Festival returns to Gilberto Parada Stadium in the city of Montero, Bolivia on Thursday, May 30, 2024, where it is expected to attract approximately 30,000 visitors, as in previous years. | Credit: Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Montero, Bolivia

By Julieta Villar
After a four-year hiatus, this year’s Corpus Christi Festival returns to Gilberto Parada Stadium in the city of Montero, Bolivia, where it is expected to attract around 30,000 visitors, as in previous years.

The festival will take place on Thursday, May 30. Entertainment will be provided by more than 500 students from local schools who will prepare outfits and choreographies as part of the occasion.

Members of the Congregation of Conventual Franciscans of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Montero are in charge of the festival and are hopeful that the stadium will be completely filled this year, about 30,000 people, a number similar to that of previous years. celebrate.

What is unique about this popular festival, which was suspended due to the pandemic and is only now resuming, is that it combines the religious rite with cultural expressions of music, dance, entertainment, praise and colorful outfits.

A Mass will be celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Estanislao Dowlaszewicz of Santa Cruz at 4 p.m. At the end, the faithful will take part in a procession through the streets, stopping at four altars in the city.

The pastor of Our Lady of Mercy parish, Father Henry Cuellar, told local newspaper Diario Zona Norte that it will be a celebration of faith and devotion to the body and blood of Christ.

“Everyone should join in reviving their religious faith and thanking God because the blood is given as nourishment,” he said. “Christ gave himself up in his body and blood. He influences us from within to remove everything bad in us,” he added.

Father Rodolfo Vargas, a Franciscan friar, said the city of Montero “is already living the feast of Corpus Christi.” There, he assured, they will revive their faith and joy.–CNA