Curate Carlos Enrique Medina Garibaldo presides over the Palm Sunday procession in San Cristóbal Zapotitlán. Photo: María Reynozo.

By: María del Refugio Reynozo Medina

The women sweeping the square and the atrium of the temple of San Cristobal Zapotitlán announce the proximity of a celebration: the solemn mass of Palm Sunday.

A row of palm trunks are placed at the entrance of the temple, forming a path to reach the church. At the end, they carry a palm embedded in the center that rises towards the sky.

About a hundred parishioners participate walking led by the acolyte children. Photo: María Reynozo.

Two women sweep the scene, while in the square others pick up the garbage with the first rays of the sun shortly after eight in the morning.

Today, in addition to the Palm Sunday celebration, the 2022 recall election is taking place.

Chamomile and rosemary perfume the streets as the procession passes by. Photo: María Reynozo.

Around 11:30 a.m., parishioners congregate on Zaragoza Street in San Cristobal, near the crossroads. They carry bouquets of rosemary and chamomile. Some women carry babies in their arms; others in strollers.

A group of six people, four women and two men, carry light green braided palms, and two of them hold a bible in their hands as they advance in the procession.

Children accompanying their parents participate in the procession. Photo: María Reynozo.

A group of men in bright robes characterize the apostles, while a young man in the role of Jesus Christ walks dressed in a white tunic and a red cloak. Cura Carlos Enrique Medina Garibaldo leads the procession that advances amidst chants and the aroma of copal.

The atmosphere smells of rosemary, basil and chamomile.

A group of men represent the apostles with their bright tunics. Photo: María Reynozo.

At the end of the celebration, people congregate in the plaza and many treat themselves to carnitas tacos, steak tacos or a slice of flan.

Meanwhile, in the premises a few meters from the elementary school, the ballot boxes are set up to carry out the recall referendum promoted by the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO).

The polls opened at 8:00 a.m. and a few minutes later; however, at 8:30 a couple of the first voters appeared alone.

In the elementary school, the urns look lonely. Photo: María Reynozo.

Two polling places are installed; from section 1668 and 1687. Each polling place has a president, a secretary and a teller.

The  arrival  of voters is slow; and out of a voter roll of about three thousand, only 275 voters are present and the majority decision is for the incumbent president to remain.

This is how the announced recall process goes; between the bells that call to mass and the ballot boxes that call to vote where the fragrant rosemary bouquets exceeded by dozens the participation of the citizens.