Purified in the pyre
From fallingsky.blogs.com. A man rides a horse through a bonfire during the traditional 'Luminares' fiesta in the village of Sant Bartolome de Pinares, Spain. The ancient ritual is said to purify the horses on the eve of Sant Anton.
From sacred-texts.com. Saint Anthony is patron of horses, asses, mules, and other four-footed beasts. On his day farmers in towns and villages throughout Spain decorate their animals with flowers, ribbons, and bells and drive them to a church dedicated to Saint Anthony.
There the priest administers a barley wafer to the odd communicants, sprinkles them with holy water and invokes Saint Anthony's blessing against accident and disease during the coming year. Many believe the blessing guarantees a long and healthy life for their animal companions.
All day processions of animals pass through the streets, much to the entertainment of bystanders who watch the antics of balky mules, horses, and oxen as they are led toward the sanctuary.
Photo credits: sfgate.com; Dani Cardona; Dani Cardona
