Photographs by Antonio Ascencio

The feast day of St Francis on 4 October is part of a week-long annual fiesta attracting thousands of pilgrims to Real de Catorce, many of whom camp out in the surrounding hills and desert. Open-air masses are held and the image of St Francis is paraded through the streets of the town.

The annual fiesta of the local patron saint is a unifying event for many Mexican communities. Organisational tasks are allocated to elected 'majordomos' who in turn delegate responsibility for fireworks, music, food, etc. The fiesta therefore, reaffirms a sense of belonging, security and protection as embodied in the image of the saint to to whom thanks are offered in return.

Courtesy of La Parroquia de la Purisima Concepcion, Real de Catorce