EMBOSCADA, Paraguay (AP) — Catholic parishioners in Paraguay don bird-like costumes and parade through the streets in the municipality of Emboscada, some 25 miles (45 kilometers) northeast of the capital of Asuncion, to honor St. Francis Solano who is said to possess miraculous powers.
It is said that the feathers symbolize the Guaicurú Indigenous group who would attack smaller tribes and Spanish colonizers to prevent them from stealing their food and weapons.
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Children dressed in feather costumes attend a Mass celebrating Saint Francisco Solano at his namesake chapel in Emboscada, Paraguay, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Catholic parishioners in Paraguay don bird-like costumes and parade the streets to honor the 16th century saint said to possess miraculous powers. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
A musician plays an accordion during a Mass celebrating Saint Francisco Solano, in Emboscada, Paraguay, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Hundreds of Catholic parishioners in Paraguay don bird-like costumes and parade down the streets to honor the 16th century saint said to possess miraculous powers. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
Parishioner Francisco Aguero dressed in a feather costume holds his dog as he poses for a picture, after attending a Mass celebrating Saint Francisco Solano, in Emboscada, Paraguay, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Hundreds of Catholic parishioners in Paraguay don bird-like costumes and parade down the streets to honor the 16th century saint said to possess miraculous powers. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
Children dressed in feather costumes attend a Mass celebrating Saint Francisco Solano, in Emboscada, Paraguay, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Hundreds of Catholic parishioners in Paraguay don bird-like costumes and parade down the streets to honor the 16th century saint said to possess miraculous powers. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
A parishioner dressed in a feather costume poses for a photo after attending a Mass celebrating Saint Francisco Solano, in Emboscada, Paraguay, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Hundreds of Catholic parishioners in Paraguay don bird-like costumes and parade down the streets to honor the 16th century saint said to possess miraculous powers. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
A parishioner dressed in feather costume plays a trumpet during a procession celebrating Saint Francisco Solano, in Emboscada, Paraguay, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Hundreds of Catholic parishioners in Paraguay don bird-like costumes and parade down the streets to honor the 16th century saint said to possess miraculous powers. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
A man touches a statue of San Francisco Solano after attending a Mass celebrating Saint Francisco Solano, in Emboscada, Paraguay, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Hundreds of Catholic parishioners in Paraguay don bird-like costumes and parade down the streets to honor the 16th century saint said to possess miraculous powers. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
Faithful attend a Mass celebrating Saint Francisco Solano, in Emboscada, Paraguay, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Hundreds of Catholic parishioners in Paraguay don bird-like costumes and parade down the streets to honor the 16th century saint said to possess miraculous powers. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
A parishioner dressed in a feather costume and a riot police mask poses for a photo during a Mass celebrating Saint Francisco Solano, in Emboscada, Paraguay, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Hundreds of Catholic parishioners in Paraguay don bird-like costumes and parade down the streets to honor the 16th century saint said to possess miraculous powers. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
A child dressed in a feather costume plays a drum after attending a Mass celebrating Saint Francisco Solano, in Emboscada, Paraguay, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Hundreds of Catholic parishioners in Paraguay don bird-like costumes and parade down the streets to honor the 16th century saint said to possess miraculous powers. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
A parishioner dressed in a feather costume walks to a Mass celebrating Saint Francisco Solano at his chapel in Emboscada, Paraguay, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Catholic parishioners in Paraguay don bird-like costumes and parade the streets to honor the 16th century saint said to possess miraculous powers. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
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