Izamal, Yucatán, Mexico
He prays best who does not know he is praying.
—Saint Anthony of Padua (1195–1231), Portuguese Catholic priest
This convent and cathedral dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua (Lisbon), revered for his fierce love of God, sits atop the ruins of Pap-Hol-Chac, a Mayan pyramid honoring Chac (god of rain). The convent’s foundation is made of stones taken from the pyramid, toppled by conquistadores around 1549. The former monastery, built in a traditional fortress-like Franciscan style, features yellow stucco walls (replicated in many colonial buildings throughout town), sixteenth-century frescoes, and a statue of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, the patron saint of the Yucatán. A bronze statue of Pope John Paul II, who visited in 1993, keeps company in the courtyard with a Mayan sun stone.
If you believe Divine love can unite diverse ethnic and religious communities and would like to experience a place where that has manifested, visit Izamal. Located 42 miles east of Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, Izamal is accessible by bus or car.
Attend Mass in the chapel or just contemplate as you stroll through the huge atrium (second only to Saint Peter’s in Rome). Let the spiritual energy of this sanctuary ignite in your heart a fierce love of God.
Izamal was one of the oldest and most sacred Mayan cities. Today, the town is a harmonious blend of Mayan, colonial, and modern cultures and one of thirty-five pueblos magicos (magical villages) designated by Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism.