He is also sometimes refered to as "Hermano Pedro" (Brother Peter) or "Don Pedro."
In Mexico, San Simon is dressed in late 19th or early 20th century black suit and tie. He is clearly a man of means, often with a cigar and bottle seated in an old style chair. In drawings, he is sometmes shown seated in a chair at the crossroad.
"San Simon" or "San Simon-Judas" is either/or a combination of "Simon Pedro"/"San Pedro" (Saint Simon Peter), "San Simon El Cananeo o Zelotes"/ "Apostol Simon" (St. Simon the Canaanite or Zelotes/Apostle Simon), "San Judas Tadeo" (Saint Jude), and/or "Judas Iscariote" (Judas Iscariot).
This powerful spirit is a "champion of the hopeless." Whether for luck, prosperity, or love, San Simon is said to help the needy. San Simon is quite miraculous in that the power is given in any amount as necessary to never to let the sun set.
Every October 28, the feast day of San Simon, thousands of pilgrims from all over Guatemala and even neighboring countries meet in San Andres Itzapa to celebrate and thank San Simon who is affectionately called "hermano Monchito." With the marimba, alcoholic drinks, and dancing the atmosphere becomes very festive. Attendees request luck in health, business, and love, while giving offerings to the images.
Under the names, El Hermano San Simon (Brother Saint Simon), San Simon Maximon, or Maximón, he is venerated as folk saint in various forms by Maya people of several towns in the highlands of Western Guatemala. San Simon of Guatemala is sometimes said to be "the saint of gamblers and drunkards." However he can also be petitioned to help deal with the addictive behaviors of problem drinking and gambling.
Maximón (pronounced maa-shee-MOHn) is a spirit in folk belief in Guatemala, Mexico, and other places. Maximon ensures bountiful crops, fertility, success in business, and good luck in gambling. Maximon is said to be the contemporary name for an ancient Mayan underworld God, Ma'am, which means "Great Grandfather" or "Ancient One."
In Catholic lore, San Simon is frequenly honored with San Judas Tadeo, as they share the same feast day, Oct. 28. To honor San Simon and San Judas Tadeo together, especially on Oct. 28, light two green or white candles. As an "opener of the way," Guatemalan festivals coincide with Holy Week, culminating on Good Friday.
His weekday is Tuesday. Offerings includes hats, silk ties, silk scarves, bandanas, carnation flowers, copal incense, fresh fruit, pineapple juice, coins, sausages, banannas, Coco-Cola (the Real Thing brand), springwater, dark beer, tequila, and rum. There is a prayer accompanied with an offering of ragwort and liquor.
"San Simon Esencia" is a scent used by those who seek the aid of Hermano San Simon (Brother Saint Simon). Cologne dedicated to him is scented with blended citrus odors, such as lemongrass, citronella, and sweet orange, or scented with orange blossom water. His scented water is supposedly capable of repelling fear, despair, sadness, mal de ojo, etc.
San Simon is invoked for destroying sorcery, for removing obstacles, for granting wealth, and for good luck.
Different colored candles may be offered:
Yellow--protection of adults, prosperitySan Simon is an extremely responsive spirit who accepts comparatively modest offerings. He will repond to requests made on behalf of others. He also is a generous provider. Nevertheless, San Simon Maximon is a fastidious saint whose appearance must be kept clean.
Green--business, prosperity, cash
White--protection of children
Brown--protection from resentment, envy, and mal de ojo
Blue--good luck, employment
His image in the home can provide luck and money.
Having seen a wooden image of Hermano San Simon with a bottle and cigar, I think the Tex-Mex San Simon manifestation could well enjoy listening to Kenny Roger's "The Gambler"--as one of his USA devotees suggested--with a good glass of whiskey.
When Guatemalan immigrants brought their folk traditions venerating this folk saint to the USA, San Simon entered hoodoo.
copyright December 2012, Myth Woodling
Judika Illes, Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints & Sages: A Guide to Asking for Protection, Wealth, Happiness, and Everything Else! 2011.
Brujo Negro, SAN SIMON: "Folkloric Saint of Guatemala:, accessed 12/12/12
James Rodriguez, Maximón y el Culto a San Simón en Itzapa, October 30, 2010, accessed 12/12/12
Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers, Maximon (San Simon-Judas), accessed 12/15/12
Catherine Yronwode, MAXIMON (A.K.A. SAN SIMON of GUATEMALA), 1995-2003, accessed 12/12/12
Prayers and Petitions Requesting San Simon's Help for a Business:
Someone requesting San Simon's help in attracting success to a business, can place an image San Simon with a tablecloth and a glass water in some corner of her/his business. When s/he offers a prayer, s/he can burn a green or yellow candle on the day before opening, and spread on the ground some green herbs--such as parsley. Gratitude towards San Simon, should be expressed for any assistance he provides.
Oracion a San Simon con puro
Oh poderoso San Simon yo humilde creatura desechada de todos vengo a postrarme ante vos para que tu espiritu me ayude encada peligro que sea nesesario. Si es en el amor, tu detendras al hombre que yo amo. Si es en el negocio, que jamas caiga por que tu espiritu no dejara que los brujos tengan mas poder que vos. Si es un enemigo eres tu que tiene que vencer. Si son enemigos ocultos haz que se vayan en cuanto te nombre. Oh, poderoso Simón, te ofrezco tu puro, tu tortilla, tu guarito y tus candelitas, si me sacas de cualquier peligro en el que me encuentre: ya sea que me demanden por deudas que no pueda pagar, te pido que el juez quede vencido y todo quede en el olvido. Te pido en nombre de aquél a quien vendiste por 30 monedas que fueron dadas a los mas nesecitados, asi quiero que me hagas el milagro que te pido. O Judas Simon te llamo hermano en todo momento porque se que estas en la tierra en las montañas, llanos, bosques, ciudades, campos, aldeas y casas. Amen.
Short San Simon Prayer
Oh mighty, San Simon, I humbly come to you. Let you spirit help me in all actions and in any dangerous circumstances. I want you to perform the miracles I request. (State request) Amen.
Prayer to San Simon
Oh powerful, San Simon, I call for your name, that my offenses be forgotten and my debts erased, get me out of the danger in which I am, I bring you pure offerings your bread, and your tealights, your liquor here, and so I ask you to the miracle of (State petition) Hermano Simon: I'll call you brother because they who dwell in the land and in the mountains, you're in the forest lands, the mountains, plains, cities, villages, fields, and mi casa, so please accept my offerings and I ask your blessing. Amen.
Prayer to San Simon with Purity
Oh powerful, San Simon, I, a discarded creature come to bow humbly down to you--your spirit--to help me in any dangers stalking me as necessary. If this danger involves el amor, you'll stop danger involing the one I love. If this danger is to my livelihood, I ask that my livelihood never fails, do not let that los brujos have more power than you. If this danger is an enemy, it is you--your spirit--who shall overcome that enemy. If there are hidden enemies, protect me and put your hand on me. Oh, mighty Simon, I offer you pure offerings here: your tortilla, your little candles, your liquor, if you get me out of any danger in which I am, whether I sued for my debts, whether at that time I can not ask you to pay the remaining debts, I ask that the Judge be defeated and everything is forgotten. I ask in the name of Him that was sold for 30 pieces of silver that were given to the poor, so I want you to perform for me these miracles I ask. Hermano San Simon-Judas I'll call you brother as those who dwell in the land and in the mountains, plains and forests, cities and fields, villages and homes, so I thank you--please accept my offerings and I ask your blessing. Amen.
Novena to Hermano Simon
Hermano Simon, Hermano Simon, Hermano Simon.
You who are the inexhaustible source of wonderful benefits and know the sufferings of humanity, I come to you with all my faith and hope in your holy protection demand.
I acknowledge all my faults and bad choices made in the course of my life and as responsible for much evil, I acknowledge I may not deserve your holy favors, but I know that you are the protector of humans why I come to ask forgiveness and implore you and San Judas for a look of mercy for this humble figure, begging you with all my heart that my prayers despise not my petitions, for your holy names invoking deposit in your hands all my sufferings, hoping to achieve with your wonderful power solution as both material and spiritual problems.
I'll always be your faithful devotee because I firmly believe in your great power, which has always shown through your holy miracles from that glorious October 28, the day of San Judas Tadeo, you made ??your appearance in lands of Guatemala, where we praise all your devotees with greater fervor, so here I surrendered to you; I am sorry I did much evil in this world. It is my great fortune to meet you, you will forgive me my sins and that as many favors conferred on him your friend Felipe, one Indian who was for this reason I pray and hope of the mountains of Zunil and grant me a request that I ask myself. Amen.
Prayer to Santo Apostol, San Judas Tadeo
Santo Apostol, San Judas, faithful servant and friend of Jesus.
The name of the traitor who delivered your beloved Master into the hands of his enemies, has been the cause that you have been forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult and desperate cases.
Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Make use, I implore you, the special privilege given to you, of visible and speedy help when almost all hope is lost.
Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly (state petition), ... and so you can praise God with you and all the elect forever.
I promise, glorious San Judas Tadeo, never forget this great favor, always honor you as my special and powerful patron and, thankfully, do everything you can to encourage your devotion. Amen.
Song to San Simon
English:
I have come from afar to worship the Senor San Simón,
I have come from afar to worship the Senor San Simón,
When you hear the bells ringing, all my heart is filled with joy,
When you hear the bells ringing, everyone begins to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven, a rosary I come to sing,
Miraculous Senor San Simón, all my soul I come to deliver.
Do not forget your country and your children, do not abandon your people Senor,
Miraculous Senor San Simón, Rega blessing everywhere.
From Honduras and Nicaragua, is people crossing borders,
Mexicans are singing, Guatemalans and Salvadorans,
Many are the pilgrims who visit your sacred temple,
When you hear the bells ringing, everyone begins to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven, a rosary I come to sing,
Miraculous Senor San Simón, all my soul I come to deliver.
Do not forget your country and your children, do not abandon your people Senor,
Miraculous Senor San Simón, Rega blessing everywhere.
Spanish:
Yo he venido de tierras lejanas, a adorar al Senor San Simón,
Yo he venido de tierras lejanas, a adorar al Senor San Simón,
Cuando se oyen sonar las campanas, toda mi alma se llena de gozo,
Cuando se oyen sonar las campanas, todo el mundo comienza a rezar:
Padre nuestro que estas en el cielo, un rosario te vengo a cantar,
Milagroso senor san simón, toda mi alma te vengo a entregar.
No te olvides tu patria y tus hijos, no abandones tu pueblo senor,
Milagroso Senor San Simón, por doquiera regá bendición.
Desde Honduras y de Nicaragua, viene gente cruzando fronteras,
Mexicanos que vienen cantando, guatemaltecos y salvadorenos,
Son muchísimos los peregrinos, que visitan tu templo sagrado,
Cuando se oyen sonar las campanas, todo el mundo comienza a rezar:
Padre nuestro que estas en el cielo, un rosario te vengo a cantar,
Milagroso senor san simón, toda mi alma te vengo a entregar.
No te olvides tu patria y tus hijos, no abandones tu pueblo senor,
Milagroso Senor San Simón, por doquiera regá bendición.
As quoted by James Rodriguez, Maximón y el Culto a San Simón en Itzapa, October 30, 2010, accessed 12/12/12
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