Catedral de San Jacinto, église à Yaguachi Nuevo en Équateur
The Catedral de San Jacinto is a church in Yaguachi Nuevo with simple yet strong architecture from the early 20th century and a distinctive bell tower rising above the town's rooftops. Inside, the space features quiet halls with traditional elements and an altar that holds reliquaries of the saint.
The cathedral's history stretches back to the 16th century with legends about a sacred cloth showing Saint Jacinto that shaped local devotion. After fires and rebuilding efforts, it was recognized as a Minor Basilica in 1980, and in 2009 it was elevated to cathedral status following the establishment of a new diocese.
The cathedral serves as the central gathering place for the local Catholic community in Yaguachi Nuevo, hosting regular worship and special celebrations. The name San Jacinto connects to an ancient legend about a sacred cloth depicting the saint, which has shaped the spiritual identity of the town for centuries and continues to draw visitors seeking connection to its religious traditions.
The church is centrally located in town and easily accessible, with doors open for visitors outside of service times. It is best to visit in the early morning or evening when fewer people are present and the calm atmosphere of the space is more noticeable.
The cathedral holds reliquaries of Saint Jacinto that were sent by Pope John Paul II in 1981 and rest in an ornate shrine beside the altar. These sacred remains consist of bone fragments from the saint himself, connecting visitors to a tradition of devotion spanning centuries.
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