The Santo Hermano Pedro feast falls on April 24, 2027, applying its recurring annual date. For a visit to Antigua, the essential distinction is between going to San Francisco el Grande, where his remains rest, and attending an extraordinary opening of the tomb: the latter is not promised for 2027.
Key dates 2027 (checked 23 October 2026)
| Occasion | Date or status | Source and scope |
|---|---|---|
| Santo Hermano Pedro feast | April 24, 2027 | Recurring 24 April date reported by Prensa Libre, applied to 2027; no local programme found in the sources checked |
| Local procession programme | not announced as of 23 October 2026 | In the sources we checked; the Franciscan page is not an Antigua event programme |
Quick summary: The recurring feast date is April 24. The place associated with his tomb is Templo de San Francisco el Grande, Antigua Guatemala. The procession details below belong to 2026, and the exceptional tomb opening that March does not establish annual access to an open tomb.
Why April 24, and where to go
Prensa Libre explains that Santo Hermano Pedro de San José de Betancur died on April 25, 1667. Although saints’ feasts traditionally mark their death, his is celebrated on April 24 because April 25 is dedicated to Saint Mark.
His remains rest in Templo de San Francisco el Grande, in Antigua Guatemala. He is identified in the account as Guatemala’s first saint. For visitors, that gives a concrete place to plan around without assuming that a procession or exceptional opening will follow the previous year’s arrangements.
What happened in 2026
Prensa Libre published the following programme on April 25, 2026. These are historical arrangements, including expected return times rather than guaranteed durations.
| Date in 2026 | Departure time as published | Place or route as reported | Return time as published |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 25 | 18 horas | From 7a. calle Poniente, at San José el Viejo, toward Catedral | 21 horas, planned |
| April 26 | 11 horas | The image of Hermano Pedro was scheduled to leave Templo de San Francisco el Grande | 13.30 horas, expected |
These entries show that the procession dates in that report extended beyond the recurring feast day. They do not establish the dates, route or times of any 2027 procession.
The exceptional tomb opening in March 2026
The tomb was open March 19–22, 2026, for the commemoration of Hermano Pedro’s birth. This was an exceptional commemorative opening, not a recurring April feast attraction.
In the report published on March 22, 2026, sanctuary rector fray Edwin Alvarado said that the tomb would close that Sunday and next open in 100 years. Treat this as the rector’s statement about the sealed tomb, not a promise of a future visitor event and not a statement that San Francisco el Grande itself would close.
Practical planning for Antigua
Choose the place before assuming the programme. San Francisco el Grande is where the remains rest. In the 2026 programme, the procession from San José el Viejo and the procession from San Francisco listed different departure points and times; do not use either as a meeting point for 2027 without a new announcement.
Respect the prayer setting. Reporting on the exceptional 2026 opening described profound silence and prayer, and the rector emphasised that nothing should distract pilgrims. Keep that religious purpose in mind when visiting.
Check access directly before making a special trip. The reports do not establish routine tomb visiting hours, an entry fee or accessibility arrangements. An ordinary church visit and seeing an opened tomb are different expectations.
For the separate Holy Week observances, see our Semana Santa in Guatemala guide.
Where to stay in Antigua Guatemala
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Sources
- Prensa Libre: procession dates, times and recurring feast explanation — checked 23 October 2026.
- Prensa Libre: exceptional tomb opening and rector’s explanation — checked 23 October 2026.
- Order of Friars Minor: Santo Hermano Pedro — checked 23 October 2026; this general page does not confirm Antigua’s local 2027 programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Santo Hermano Pedro feast in 2027?
April 24, applying the recurring feast date reported by Prensa Libre. This is not an organiser-issued confirmation of the local 2027 programme.
Why is the feast on April 24 rather than April 25?
Prensa Libre explains that Hermano Pedro died on April 25, 1667, but April 25 is dedicated to Saint Mark, so his feast is celebrated on April 24.
Where are Hermano Pedro's remains?
In the Templo de San Francisco el Grande in Antigua Guatemala. The exceptional opening of the tomb in March 2026 is a separate matter from visiting the church.
Are the 2026 procession times confirmed for 2027?
No. The departures and expected returns described here belong to the 2026 programme reported by Prensa Libre.
Will the tomb be opened for the 2027 feast?
No opening is confirmed here for 2027. The March 2026 opening marked the birth commemoration; the rector said it would close and next open in 100 years. That statement concerns the tomb, not closure of the church.
