Digital Auto De Fe

 Sermon of the Faith (Sermón de fe)

 

A sermon, usually by a prominent or prestigious religious cleric, began the ceremony of an auto-da-fé.

 

The Inquisition in New Spain usually selected great orators and passionate speakers to deliver these sermons. For instance, on March 6, 1575, at the second major auto-da-fé celebrated in New Spain, the newly consecrated bishop of Yucatan, Fray Diego de Landa, presided and gave the sermon.

 

One of the earliest monastic inquisitors in the Yucatan Peninsula, Bishop Landa delivered an hour-long sermon on the evils of heresy and the necessity of punishment for the wicked and impenitent.

 

A solemn and formal celebration of the Catholic mass followed the sermon.