Ducle Nombre de Jesus is the principal church in Piribebuy. It was also the first to be established. It is also and more commonly know by its Guarani name Nandejara Guasu.
The name Dulce Nombre de Jesus translates into English as The Sweet Name of Jesus.
The church is Franciscan in origin. The building itself was founded by the Franciscan Gaspar de Medina in 1744.
In many ways Piribebuy represents the southern limit of Franciscan influence in Paraguay. Beyond there Jesuit influences are more strongly felt.
The church retains many of its original features. Inside it contains the original raised wooden pulpit. Although this is no longer used. Additionally the church contains a fine and highly decorated altar piece. Upon this is displayed Christ on the Cross and Mary. There are also icons representing various saints and priests.
The altar piece is currently vividly coloured as it would have been when it was first constructed. For a number of years a slow and careful restoration program was carried out. Now that that has been completed the altar piece can once more been seen in its full glory.
Across the districts of Piribebuy are many other churches and chapels. These all look to Dulce Nombre de Jesus as their mother church. Masses held in the church on the days leading up to major festivals are dedicated to these daughter churches.
The church itself sits on the principal plaza in Piribebuy. A number of the buildings surrounding it survive from the colonial period. There are numerous examples of finely carved woodwork on the buildings around the plaza dating from that time.
During the fighting retreat President Mariscal Lopez made across Paraguay towards the end of the War of the Triple Alliance in the 1860s Piribebuy was for a time his base. It became the third capital of Paraguay until it to had to be abandoned.
His men occupied various properties in the vicinity of the church and the plaza. The house that became home to his mistress Eliza Lynch still stands facing the church. It is not however clearly identified.
As with all churches in Paraguay Dulce Nombre de Jesus has its festival day marked in the calendar. This is January 18th. Each year masses are held in the week leading up the festival. Then on the 18th the mass is followed by a festival which spreads across much of the town and goes on well into the night.
There are also daily masses in the days leading up to the Immaculate Conception on the 8th December which is the principal religious festival held in Paraguay. A time for all who are able to make a pilgrimage to nearby Caacupe.
These major masses are held out in the open air in the forecourt in front of the church. Doing so allows to entire populous of Piribebuy to opportunity to attend the mass. Other masses and celebrations are held within the church itself.
Being the main town church it is a destination for marriages, deaths and baptisms. Other churches and chapels around town can hold these events but on a far less grand scale.
Furthermore masses and celebrations of other annual events are held here. These include such things as 1st communions, conformations and school graduations. In addition to these are the regular church masses.
The church is one of the principal sights of Piribebuy. The plaza is well kept and the cleanly painted exterior well worth a view. The main door into the church is not always open, however a side door halfway down the church generally is. On the occasions when neither of these doors is open it may be possible to obtain permission to view the interior from the church house directly behind the church.
However a viewing is arranged. Whether it be inside or out. No visit to Piribebuy is complete without a visit to Dulce Nombre de Jesus.
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