The History of the Image of Senor Ecce Homo

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Monday, July 2, 2012. (By: Jose Omar García Hernández) - The image of Senor Ecce Homo, which is worshipped at the temple and neighborhood of the same name in our city, has more than 300 years of existence. It was brought to San Luis de la Paz in 1701 by the Jesuits, to replace two images that the settlers worshipped. It was received with great honors by the Ludovicense people. First, it was placed in the Animas chapel (the present San Luis Rey Parish Bookstore) and subsequently in the current church. This old image must be valued and cared for.

The rector of the Society of Jesus in San Luis de la Paz, Father Antonio Rojas, was the one who motivated to bring the image of our Lord Ecce Homo in 1701.  As the two images were not of his liking, because of their poor condition (one was on the altar of Las Animas and another was placed by the Indians on Thursday at the foot of the monument), he asked Father Juan de Echegoian to get a new one from Mexico City.   It was carefully decorated and boxed for the trip. 

It came to Pozos on Friday September 21 of that year.  Two days later, it was brought on procession to San Luis de la Paz, accompanied with an image of Saint Barbara.  Along the way, people prayed the rosary with 15 mysteries. Where today is the Del Bosque neighborhood, it met with an image of Our Lady of Sorrows. Upon arrival to San Luis, there was ringing of bells, while musicians and a crowd waited.  A Mass was celebrated and placed in Las Animas Chapel.  In the same century, the temple must have been built and the image installed there.