¡HOLA!
The most major, and influential, religion in Venezuela is Catholicism. According to the CIA World Fact Book, approximately 96% of Venezuelans practice Catholicism. Over the years, Catholic Venezuelans have practiced both traditional and contemporary forms of the religion. This includes families attending mass on Sundays to attending a Christmas mass with roller skates. Although Catholicism has influenced Venezuelans for generations, it was introduced among them many, many years ago.
This all began about one year after Christopher Columbus came to America. Around 1493, the Catholic church missionaries traveled to Central and South American countries, such as Venezuela, to spread the Catholic faith. These missionaries consisted of Franciscans (this group was prominent in Venezuela), Dominicans, Augustinians, and Jesuits. This went on for several years, with the help of the Southern American government. At the time, regions (consisting of areas near Venezuela and Brazil) were colonized under the control of the Spanish and Portuguese. Under their control, the governments aided the spread of Catholicism throughout the land and converted many people. This aid remained until the late 1700s, when the Spanish and Portuguese governments saw the Jesuit’s growing power as a threat. The government attempted to overrule the Jesuits, but it backfired as people became rioting for the Catholic church since this was their main religious belief. The church’s rule continued to influence many Southern American countries until the 20th century, where the South American governments were finally able to take full control of their regions.
In modern-day Venezuela, there are several traditions that are both similar and different from global Catholic traditions. A similar global tradition Venezuela practices is Madi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” the day before the 40 day Lenten season. This is a time where Catholics eat a lot of meats, candies, and other fattening foods before fasting for Lent. Going to a Catholic school from 1st to 8th grade, I personally remember many Madi Gras festivities that happened every year. My school would introduce several popular cultural foods and conduct pot lucks to celebrate before entering the fasting, Lenten season. A country tradition only Venezuelans (for the most part), specifically those from Caracas, roller skate to Christmas masses. Christmas in Venezuela does not begin on Christmas day, but instead on December 16. Starting on December 16, Catholic Venezuelans attend early masses every morning until December 24, a practice called “Misas de Aguinaldo.” This tradition is so sacred that citizens light firecrackers and ring bells to wake people up to attend mass. During this time, almost everyone is in a good mood while roller skating to church (I mean, who wouldn’t love to roller skate with family and friends in general), that’s something you don’t see everyday. On Christmas Eve, the final day of “Misas de Aguinaldo,” many Catholic Venezuelans consider this to be a very sacred day (called “Nochebuena”) where families attend a midnight mass, “Misa de Gallo,” and then attend a large feast afterwards. This includes special holiday foods such as hallacas, pan de jamón, and dulce de lechoza. In addition to these Christmas festivities, many Catholic Venezuelans have Christmas trees and a classic Nativity Scene (a “nacimiento”).
It was very interesting researching these Catholic topics about Venezuela. As a Catholic, I wasn’t aware of these really fun religious activities Venezuelans practice, such as roller skating to Christmas. I would be extremely excited if I had the opportunity to roller skate to church. This has shown me how many cultural differences different regions of the world practice.
Until next time!
¡Hasta Luego!
-Alex
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Sources
History of Venezuelan Catholicism: https://www.thetrumpet.com/article/10541.24.154.0/religion/roman-catholicism/a-brief-history-of-catholicism-in-latin-america
History of Venezuela: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15327a.htm
General Facts: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ve.html
Facts About Religion: http://www.country-data.com/frd/cs/vetoc.html
Holiday Facts: http://www.hoteltravel.com/venezuela/guides/festivals.htm
Holiday Traditions: http://www.worldholidaytraditions.com/countries/venezuela.aspx
Christmas Traditions: http://www.latinpost.com/articles/4882/20131217/christmas-latin-christmas-caracas-venezuela-venezuela-misas-de-aguinaldo-roller-skating-on-christmas.htm
~A Taste of Venezuela~ 
Good thing I’m not Catholic in Venezuela — I don’t know how to roller-skate, so I would seriously fall on my butt, and it would be an epic fail. However, for the rest of the 99% who can skate, that’s awesome. Never heard of this tradition!
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With the large numbers of Venezuelans immigrating to Canada, and most settling in Toronto, will we begin to see some of their Christmas traditions coming soon to a Roman Catholic church near you (there’s St. Peters across the street from Bathurst subway station)? One of these traditions is being awakened with bells and firecrackers for going to “misa de aguinaldo” an early morning Mass with carol singing followed by food and drink (they’ll more likel;y to eat a North American style breakfast of bacon and eggs).
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Every year, just before Christmas – precisely December 16-24 – the Venezuelan faithful are awoken to the sights and sounds of bells and firecrackers in the predawn hours to attend early-morning (5:30 or 6:00 A.M.) masses “Misas de Aguinaldos” characterized by worship and music – playing of instrumants and singing of carols, or ‘aguinaldos’.
In Caracas, the capital and metropolis of Venezuela, a popular place for many caraquenos to go after attending Misas de Aguinaldos is the Gourmet Market restaurant. They would eat a breakfast of fried eggs, rashers of bacon, and pieces of toast; and they would wash it down with a cup or two of coffee.
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Every year, just before Christmas – precisely December 16-24 – the Venezuelan faithful are awoken to the sights and sounds of bells ringing and firecrackers exploding in the predawn hours to attend early-morning (5:30 or 6:00 A.M.) masses “Misas de Aguinaldos” characterized by worship and music – playing of instruments and singing of carols, or ‘aguinaldos’. These masses are followed by food and drink, usually toastada (a meal including toast and also eggs and bacon) and coffee. In Caracas, the capital and metropolis of Venezuela, a popular place for many caraquenos to go after attending Misas de Aguinaldos is the Gourmet Market restaurant. They would eat a breakfast of fried eggs, rashers of bacon, and pieces of toast; and they would wash it down with a cup or two of coffee.
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In the predawn hours of December 16-24, the Venezuelan faithful are awoken in the predawn hours to the sights and sounds of bells pealing and firecrackers exploding, indicating that it’s time for early-morning Misas de Aguinaldo.
They would bring their ‘morning breath’ to these Masses, as they didn’t have the opportunity to touch a toothbrush and/or toothpaste. During these Masses, which usually start at 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning, there is the playing of instruments and the singing of carols, or “Aguinaldos”.
After each of these Masses conclude, they are followed by breakfast, usually tostada (a meal including toast, fried eggs, and bacon rashers), washed down by a cup of coffee or two.
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