I’ve mentioned this church in a couple of previous posts, and seeing I’ve shown you some photos of the Cathedral, it’s only right that I show you a small taste of this famous church.

The grounds of La Merced are actually quite large and include a monastery.  This, the entrance to the current sanctuary area, is the newest part of the structure, but it still dates back almost 300 years.  I think I’ve mentioned in a blog before that I’m not much for taking pictures inside worship spaces.  But I encourage you to go on line and search La Merced, Antigua.  You can find many fine images including some of a large and spectacular fountain in the courtyard of the monastery.

The Mercedians (Order of Mary Mother of Mercy), were the first group to establish a male monastery in Guatemala.  This was not the original location.  Through lot’s of government wrangling about where the capital was going to be, they were asked, (read that forced), to move to this location in the late 1600s.  About 200 years later they were actually kicked out of Guatemala for a time.  All part of the roller coaster history of Central America.

This arch, on the avenue leading up to La Merced, is one of most widely known, photographed, and painted images in Guatemala.  You can see in the background how the volcano Agua looms over Antigua.

For those of you who knew Fr. Arnold, I think I’ve discovered the young, Hispanic Fr. Arnold here at La Merced.  He generally speaks for 3 to 5 minutes before the opening sign of the cross, gives his homily of course, and then, another 4 to 6 minutes before the closing prayer.  When I attend morning Mass here, this reprise of Arnie’s style, and his memory, brings a smile to the start of my day.

The preparation of the church grounds for the Christmas Season has begun in earnest.