You may not know much about the origin of the Novena of AguinaldoIt’s celebrated in Colombia and some other Latin American countries.
It is one of the most famous traditions of Catholicism and that brings together families around the manger to commemorate the birth of Jesus. In countries like Colombia, it is a great excuse to get together with friends and family to pray, sing Christmas carols and of course, eat fritters, custard, cookies, rice pudding and a few other gastronomic delights.
We want to show you the meaning of the Christmas tree and tell you more about the Novena de Aguinaldos, how it was born and some information that you may not have known:
History of the Novena of Aguinaldos
It is said that this was created around the year 1743 by Fray Fernando de Jesús Larrea, a Franciscan monk born in Quito, Ecuador. Fray Fernando received a request from Doña Clemencia de Jesús Caycedo Vélez, founder of the Colegio de La Enseñanza in Bogotá, to educate about the birth of Jesus. Some years later, a nun named María Ignacia modified it and decided to add the popular joys for every day, which are phrases that end with a choir that the faithful accompany with songs and music of tambourines, maracas or applause.
Traditional Novena of Aguinaldos
It was adopted by the Catholic faithful to remember, step by step, the events that preceded the birth of the savior of the world (Jesus). Countries like Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador, usually make 9 days (ninth) of prayers and songs, in the days before the Nativity (real name of the party that commemorates the birth of Jesus). In Mexico and some Central American nations, the famous Posadas are the celebration corresponding to the Novenas. The idea of the Novenas de Aguinaldos is that each person reads a fragment or prayer, making it a family activity that ends with the singing of Christmas carols and eating some sweets and typical dishes from each region.
Novena of Bonuses 2021
The Novena of Aguinaldos is prayed from the 16th to the 24th of December and is prayed in front of the manger that is built in each home. Traditionally, it is made up of 6 moments or prayers, which must be prayed and mentioned each of the 9 days:
- Prayer for every day
- Thoughts of the day
- Prayer to the Blessed Virgin
- Prayer to Saint Joseph
- Joys or Aspirations for the coming of the Child Jesus
- Prayer to the Child Jesus
Although normally in each house there is a booklet that contains each of the prayers of the day, there is no lack of the forgetful one who quotes a novena at home but does not have it. That’s why we share you this link that will take you to a page where you can find the Novena de Aguinaldos:
Curious facts about the Novena de Aguinaldos
As traditions sometimes have some things that are not very well known, we will tell you a couple of facts that you may not have known about the Novena de Aguinaldos:
- In Colombia, a slightly more modern adaptation of the novena had to be made because some of the words were unintelligible to many due to the uses of language that appear there and that are now in disuse.
- The first version of the book containing the 52-page ninth was published in 1784
- The oldest version of the Novena de Aguinaldos that exists in Colombia, is held by the Banco de la República. It is an original copy that was published in 1843.
And you, how do you celebrate and pray the Novena de Aguinaldos at home? Tell us if you eat tamales, suckling pig, empanadas, natilla and fritters. Share this note on all your social networks.