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In this Jan. 30, 2015 photo, Maria Morales repairs the eyes of a client's statue of baby Jesus inside her shop at La Merced market in preparation for the feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria in Mexico City. Once repaired and dressed in new clothing, the dolls are carried to Mass to be blessed on Feb. 2 in honor of the story of the infant Christ being presented before the temple in Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![Mexico_Jesus_Candelaria__3_]()
In this Jan. 30, 2015 photo, statues of baby Jesus sporting different costumes stand for sale at La Merced market ahead of the feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria in Mexico City. Many statues model traditional Mexican folk wear, others honor distinct professions such as the Child Doctor whose small hand holds a tiny stethoscope, or pay honor to a favorite archangel. The feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria is Feb. 2. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![Mexico_Jesus_Candelaria__1_]()
In this Jan. 30, 2015 photo, a vendor dresses a statue of baby Jesus for a client inside her shop at La Merced market in preparation for the feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria in Mexico City. Ornate vestments in vivid colors and decorated with sparkling finishes can be found in various doll sizes ahead of the Feb. 2 feast day that honors the story of the infant Christ being presented before the temple in Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![Mexico_Jesus_Candelaria__5_]()
In this Jan. 30, 2015 photo, a woman holds the pieces of her broken baby Jesus statue as she waits her turn for repairs at La Merced market in preparation for the feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria in Mexico City. In the neighborhoods around Mexico Citys historic center, vendors in the traditional Merced market set up booths with everything one could need to repair the dolls and make them shine like new for the Feb. 2 celebration. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![Mexico_Jesus_Candelaria__6_]()
In this Jan. 30, 2015 photo, Maria Morales repairs a client's statue of baby Jesus inside her shop at La Merced market before the feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria in Mexico City. Morales has repaired lost fingers and arms or reattached broken heads with the caution and attention that a child Jesus deserves, she said, recognizing that each one has its history. The feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria is on Feb. 2. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![Mexico_Jesus_Candelaria__4_]()
In this Jan. 30, 2015 photo, statues of baby Jesus are displayed for sale at La Merced market ahead of the Feb. 2 feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria in Mexico City. Small, simple figures can be bought for as little as 25 pesos, or less than $2, while fancier versions sell for more than 150 pesos, or more than $10. Catholic faithful in Mexico honor the story of the infant Christ being presented before the temple in Jerusalem by adorning a figure of baby Jesus in fine clothing and praying for blessings throughout the year. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![Mexico_Jesus_Candelaria__7_]()
In this Jan. 30, 2015 photo, a woman holds a small statue of baby Jesus as she decides what costume to buy for it at La Merced market in preparation for the feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria in Mexico City. Each year on Feb. 2, Mexico's Catholic faithful honor the story of the infant Christ being presented before the temple in Jerusalem by adorning a figure of baby Jesus in fine clothing and praying for blessings throughout the year. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![Mexico_Jesus_Candelaria__8_]()
In this Jan. 30, 2015 photo, Maria Morales repairs a client's statue of baby Jesus inside her shop at La Merced market in preparation for the feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria in Mexico City. These are figures that have been purchased, inherited or received as a gift and they come here to repair them, Morales said. The feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria is every Feb. 2. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![Mexico_Jesus_Candelaria__10_]()
In this Jan. 30, 2015 photo, a woman picks up her baby Jesus statue, dressed in costume, from a vendor at La Merced market in preparation for the feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria in Mexico City. The dolls are carried to Mass on Feb. 2 to be blessed before they are given a place of honor in homes where families gather for a meal of tamales hosted by whoever during the Jan. 6 celebration of Three Kings Day took a slice of the traditional Kings Day bread and found a tiny baby Jesus figure in their serving. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![Mexico_Jesus_Candelaria__2_]()
In this Jan. 30, 2015 photo, a woman carries a basket of baby Jesus statues at La Merced market ahead of the Feb. 2 feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria in Mexico City. In the days before the holy day, worshippers shop for new adornments and tend to any repairs the figures may need. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)![Mexico_Jesus_Candelaria__11_]()
In this Jan. 30, 2015 photo, Ana Munoz dresses a miniature statue of baby Jesus as a Mexican "chinelo" dancer for a client inside her shop at La Merced market in preparation for the annual Feb. 2 feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria in Mexico City. Chinelo dancers mix indigenous and European traditions and are most popular during the pre-Lenten Carnival season. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)Mexican artisans lovingly prepare Christ figures for Candlemas
In the neighborhoods around Mexico City's historic center, vendors in the traditional Merced market set up booths with everything one could need to repair the dolls and make them shine like new.
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- Mexican artisans lovingly prepare Christ figures for Candlemas
