Religious Fiestas

A tradition maintained since the founding of Coamo is the Saint Blas celebration on February 3rd. The parish priest bless believers during a mass by touching their neck with two candles in a "V" shape and saying: "May God, through Saint Blas intercession, protect you from throat ailments, and all ailments, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit".

A mass is celebrated on February 2nd in honor of Our Lady of the Flame. A tradition not observed often any more is the offering of large fires to the Virgin. According to the Encyclopedia "Clásicos de Puerto Rico", the Taínos used to follow the same costume in order to prevent bad spirits from destroying the crops. Christians took advantage of this to introduce the natives to the worship of the Virgin Mary. In the past, the locals would get together on the night of February 2nd around the fires to sign and dance something like:

Virgin of the Flame
for your devotion,
save us from fire,
put out the flame.

Blessed Virgin.
with peace and love,
we have for flame
s the light of your love.

A similar custom practiced today is the "burn" of Saint Blas and Our Lady of the Flame, which is a fireworks display using the icons of San Blas and the Virgin Mary.

Since San Blas and Our Lady of the Flame are celebrated on consecutive days, the following verse was popular:

Saint Blas and Our Lady
came very close together
to cure our ailments
with measure and light.

The "measure" was a piece of ribbon than a priest would bless to be used as protection from choking. This tradition is no longer in use.