Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes; April 25, 2026.— In Aguascalientes, April is synonymous with tradition, culture, and celebration thanks to the San Marcos National Fair, considered one of the largest in Mexico. However, few people stop to ask themselves: Who was San Marcos, really?
To answer this question, Father Luis Felipe Quesada Pérez, senior chaplain at the Universidad Panamericana Aguascalientes Universidad Panamericana , offers a historical and spiritual perspective that sheds light on the origins of this iconic holiday.
Saint Mark: A Young Man Close to Jesus
“Saint Mark was one of Jesus’ followers, although he was not one of the Twelve Apostles, because he was very young,” explains Father Felipe.
Far from being a minor figure, Mark may have been more closely involved in the events than is generally believed.“Most scholars accept the hypothesis that the upper room where the Last Supper took place was the house of Saint Mark.”
In addition, the Gospel of Mark itself includes a unique passage about a young man who flees from the Garden of Gethsemane; according to various interpretations, this young man could be Mark himself.
A process of maturation
The life of Saint Mark also reflects a process of learning. He accompanied Saint Paul on a missionary journey, but did not complete it. “It was a very long journey, and at one point Saint Mark grew tired and turned back.”
This led to a serious rift. “They want to set out on a second journey, and St. Paul says, ‘No way—I’m not going with Mark, because he’s a coward,’” the chaplain remarked.
However, far from being defined by that episode, Marcos grew as a person. Over time, Pablo took him back as a close collaborator. “I really love that part of San Marcos’s life. He knew how to learn from it; he didn’t get discouraged and instead saw it as an opportunity to grow and mature.”
That journey continued until the end of his life. The priest remarks, “He was the first bishop of Alexandria in Egypt and died a martyr in Alexandria. He took that opportunity to mature and grow, and we see that reflected in the fact that he was willing to give his life for our Lord.”
The Gospel of Mark: the oldest
In addition to his testimony, Mark left behind a vital legacy. “The Gospel of Mark is the oldest; it is the oldest account we have of the life of Jesus.”
It is even likely that other evangelists drew on it.“It is hard not to think that Matthew and Luke had Mark’s account at their disposal and based their own gospels on it, since there are many similarities between them. That is why they are called the Synoptic Gospels.”
Why is the San Marcos Fair named after him?
In Aguascalientes, the name San Marcos has deep historical roots.“In old Aguascalientes, each neighborhood—San Marcos, Guadalupe, Triana, and Encino—had its own fair, but the San Marcos fair began to gain much more prominence.”
Over time, this celebration grew into the San Marcos National Fair, an event that today attracts thousands of visitors from both within the country and abroad.
Interestingly, this does not mean that he is the official patron saint, which is the Virgin of the Assumption. “Many people may think that Saint Mark is the patron saint of Aguascalientes, but he is not the patron saint of either the diocese or the city.”
A fair that bridges faith and culture
The fair’s origins are deeply rooted in religion, as it was originally a celebration in honor of the saint. Today, although it has evolved into a cultural and tourist event, it still retains elements that invite reflection.“It is up to us Catholics in Aguascalientes to give this festival a Christian character,” he said.
He acknowledges that there are valuable aspects to the celebration. “I think there are things about the fair that Jesus would really enjoy.”
At the same time, he warns against certain excesses. “In some other areas, our love of money has gotten the better of us, and that can lead us to not care if something we offer harms other people.”
San Marcos Today: A Timeless Story
Beyond the feast day, the figure of Saint Mark offers a message that remains relevant today, especially for young people: the importance of closeness, perseverance, and personal transformation. “You cannot relate to Jesus from a distance. Saint Mark was able to give his life for Jesus because he was close to him.”
His life can be summed up in one clear idea.“He was a man who knew how to learn from his mistakes and move forward with courage.”
Amid the festive atmosphere of Aguascalientes, its history serves as a reminder that behind every tradition lies an origin worth discovering.
