The church towers over the town’s square, its bells call out the time and bring the faithful to prayer. Off to one side of the church there is the shrine shown below of Father Jose Maria Robles Hurtado, a Catholic priest who was executed on June 25, 1927 as part of the conflict between the church and the Mexican government. He was beatified in 1992 and canonized in 2000 by Pope John Paul. He is considered a son of this small town.
The Robles family runs one of our favorite hangouts in town, the Napoles Bakery and Café, a few blocks from the church. Fr. Jose was a member of this family and his photo, articles about him and tributes have been on display in the bakery since the first time we visited 10 years ago.
We made repeated trips to this sweet treat only a couple blocks from our hotel. . .afternoon coffee, dinner that night and breakfast before we left. There is a warmth about their hospitality that we’ve found irresistible. (Not to mention good food and drink!)
We watched afternoon turn into evening from a park bench in the zocalo, the town square. Actually we watched the man high in that church’s tower pulling the ropes to ring the bells and announce the start of the evening’s service. . .these days the Catholic Church is alive and well here.
Just a few blocks from the square are the remains of the Templo de la Preciosa Sangre (Church of the Holy Blood). This 19th Century church would have been enormous – it simply was never finished.
That's it for Mascota. If you make it to Puerto Vallarta give yourself a couple of extra days and head to the hills. For now it is Travel Photo Thursday and time to check out the photos on display at Budget Travelers Sandbox.
pT
