Paraguay Catholics toss cash from church belfry in festival

Youth compete to catch a guarani banknote, worth about 1 US dollar, during the Birth of Mary celebrations at the Virgin Mary Catholic church in Guarambare, Paraguay, Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. The money throwing is part of celebrations that honor the birth of Mary, during which church members who believe they have received special favors from her, throw banknotes from the church’s balcony to children below, as a way to return the favor. AP Photo

ASUNCION, Paraguay—Jorge Gonzalez woke up early, had breakfast and went straight to church in this town on the outskirts of Paraguay’s capital hoping to catch money falling from the sky.

The 9-year-old took part in a traditional religious festivity in which Roman Catholic faithful throw small-denomination bills from the belfry of the Mary of the Nativity church to children gathered below. Gonzalez said that despite the pushing by older kids, he felt lucky because he collected 12,000 Guaranies or about US$2.

While Gonzalez and other kids brimmed with joy after catching some bills, others could be seen walking downcast, hoping for better luck next year.

Marcos Wilk, the priest in the town of Guarambare, says the tradition of giving out money to the poorest children dates back more than a century. The 52-year-old Polish priest said the ritual has been growing but remains controversial: some members of the community feel it’s degrading, others feel it’s their right to share a bit of their earnings with the kids.

Juan Vazquez, 35, said he threw about $100 in bills up in the air to thank the Virgin Mary for the recovery of his 85-year-old father who suffered two heart attacks. Jacqueline Benitez, 43, said she also tossed bills as a sign of gratitude. After years of unemployment, the single mother recently began working two jobs to support her family.

Brothers, Domingo, 103 and Jose Medina, 95, joined the festivity, walking slowly with the use of a cane.

“They have come to the festivity ever since they were children,” said Domingo’s daughter, Rosa. “This time, they brought their money and I helped them toss it out.”