LAJ MAM - MAXIMON o SAN SIMON
“Oh
Dear San Simón. You are the inexhaustible source of wonderful kindness
and know human suffering, to you, I trust with all my faith, that you may
give me your holy blessing”.
Traditional followers that show their faith in the mystical being of the Laj Mam, or San Simón make these appeals. The Saint generates devotion in diverse population stratum that venerates him. They attribute recognizedmiracles to him.
Followers of Laj Mam or San Simon are coming from rich and poor and “Ladinos”. Some adore him in their temple, others discreetly with sacred site place home. Those that adore him request favors from him for the family’s well-being, against enemies and prosperity in their businesses.
The
devotees that visit Laj Man temple used to take color candles for their
request. Each color has meaning; some are for request health,
work, or protection. They also bring tobacco or cigarettes, perfumes, liquors,
and food as offerings. It is an exchange process where devotees bring offering
in return for a favor. It is not simple asked for blessing or protection
of well being it interacts between the Laj Man and the devotees.
The practice of devotees are similar within communities were peasants before use any agricultural land to crop, they ask mother earth permission to use it. Mayan cultural practices, to use Earth for corn sowing, made on ceremonial requests permission form to have good production harvest. In the context of the Laj Mam, those that request a favor or miracle, first offer something: candle, guaro (liquor) tortilla or food to be able to receive the favor. This determines the faith within the traditional culture of the Mayan. It is an interchange between giving and receiving, not only receiving. It is a ceremonial process where “our ceremonies are not simple, through them we speak with nature, the sky, the air, the Earth and our grandparents”.
The Mam has accused it of being a part of witchcraft, according to church structure. Because of that, the Mam is a deity in revolt against what is conventional; it is a resistance against the catholic or evangelical imposition. The Ajq'ij or Shamans considers it one of the great ones that come from the creation of the maize man. “Thanks Brother Simon, thank you for what you have given me. I promise you my gratitude, with guaro (liquor), tortillas, so that your protections will always continue.” This type of request oration does not happen in the Catholic Church. This oration is a commitment between the requests to the Mam in order to receive the miracle. The one that makes a request takes to the corresponding candles according to his request and meaning.
In the middle of criticism or accusations against San Simon, they have not managed to diminish the faith of people in their deity. Many have doubts, others are thankful; it is the faith that makes the individual man or woman, native or ladino to share their faith. For some it is hope in revitalizing their own existence through spiritual faith. It is the faith of the Mayan people.
Broter Simon, Brother, Brother 
You, are in deep marvellous of kindness and know the human pain, I am coming to you with all my faith, with hope of your saint protection.
I recognize my faults and wrongdoing in my life and I am responsible for many things. Maybe I am not being able to receive your blessing, but you are the human protector. That why, I am coming to you for your forgiveness. I am humble asking you for forgiveness, and I beg your pardon? By mention your name, I put in your hand all my suffering with hope to get your marvellous support to get solution to my material and spiritual problems.
will be your follower forever, because I believe in your power showed on miracles. From that glory day of October 28, day of Saint Jude, when you show up on this Guatemalan land. Since then, we became follower with all our heart. Then, I am here, asking for forgiveness for all bad things happens in the world. The great opportunity to find you and ask to forget my wrong doing and asking for give me a chance to correct myself and provide me your blessing and protection for what I am asking for. Amen.
Candles |
Meaning |
Red |
Love, Faith, humble |
Yellow |
Protection for adults |
Green |
Business and prosperity |
Blue |
Work, and fortune |
Pink |
Health and Hope |
Black |
Against enemy and envy |
Purple |
Against addiction and bad thoughts |
White |
Protection for children |
Turquese |
Money, Happiness, Travel and knowledge |
Guatemalan places to visit the Laj Mam or San Simon
San Andrés Itzapa, Chimaltenango.
Santa Cruz, El Quiche
Zunil, en Quetzaltenango
Santiago Atitlan Sololá.
Sources:
Hermano San Simón, los 8 días de San Simón. Autor
desconocido.
Kukuy, Por las niñas y niños de maíz, futuro del pueblo
maya. ...Juna. Saqb'e Mayab' Moloj
By Antonio Calan