Quartet to play Monjas concert fundraiser

Iglesia de Monjas in Mérida, Yucatán.
Iglesia de Monjas in Mérida, Yucatán.

A program of fundraising activities continue a drive to preserve Monjas, the second-oldest church in Merida. All contributions made will go to the preservation of the Monjas buildings.

The “Spring Concert and will include baroque and classical works by composers such as Corelli, Purcell, Albinoni and Mozart.

The International String Quartet of Mérida.
The International String Quartet of Mérida.

Funds from a concert 8 p.m. Thursday, March 26, featuring the International String Quartet of the Yucatán, will help provide windows in the coro alto (choir loft) and to begin repairs to the roof. It is crucial to the protection of this notable church and to the organ that the windows and roof are done before the rainy season begins.

Tickets are 200 pesos (250 pesos at the door); open seating.

The program:
Corelli — Concerto Grosso No. 8
Purcell — Chaconne
Albinoni — Concerto Grosso No. 1
Mozart — String Quartet No. 21 in D major

To reserve tickets, e-mail your name, phone number and number of tickets desired to: monjas@monjas.mx

Event page for the concert. }

About Las Monjas

Monjas is formally known as La Iglesia de Monjas. (Monjas means “nuns.”)

The convent, originally called Our Lady of Consolation, occupied an entire city block and was a self-contained complex. Within the convent walls were a church, residential areas for 40 nuns, courtyards, gardens, and food production areas. What remains today is the church and a couple of courtyards on the southeast corner of the intersection of Calles 63 and 64.

On June 22, 1596 the first nuns took possession of what is now Monjas and 37 years later (June 9, 1633) the first Eucharist was celebrated in the new convent.  One interesting fact about this religious complex is that it was the only convent built exclusively for women in all of Yucatán. Women entered the convent for many reasons; for some it was their only refuge in an all-male society.

The Convent of Our Lady of Consolation became a status symbol in Yucatecan society. It was a huge convent, covering many hectares. When the government began land-confiscation in the mid 1600s, most of the acreage was seized, leaving Monjas as it is currently.

Parishioners gather in the Monjas courtyard.
Parishioners gather in the Monjas courtyard.

On one other occasion Monjas was closed, for a few months in 2012, until the Salvatorian Fathers arrived and began their ministry, opening Monjas to the public again.

Yucatecans worship at Monjas along with Americans, Canadians and Europeans. Every Sunday morning at 9:30, Masses are in English.

Contract the Rector: Padre Martin Czyz 999-928-0789

In English: Padre Jose Vieira Arruda 999-247-1519 

E-mail: monjas@monjas.mx

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