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Monday, April 6, 2015

Video: Holy Saturday Procession

There is little that matches the splendor and intensity of Holy Week processions.  While many countries have sorts of processions around the time of Easter, those in Spain are the most elaborate, some having histories that date to the late middle ages.  When the Spaniards came to the New World they brought their traditions, including these 
processions; those in Antigua, Guatemala have stayed very true to their Spanish precedents.



Procession of Jesus del Milagro from San Felipe de Jesus Church, Antigua Guatemala


Holy Week processions are typically viewed from the street with great crowds thronging the route.  But even more interesting is seeing a procession as it begins inside of home church, the place where it starts and to which many hours later it will return.  It is difficult to get inside  a church to see the start of a procession, but below is a link to my video  that takes you inside a church to do this. The procession is from Holy Saturday, the day before Easter, in San Felipe de Jesus Church, Antigua Guatemala.  The focus of the procession is the main figure on the float, Virgen de la Soledad, a variant of the Virgin of Sorrows, the grieving mother of Jesus.


Holy Saturday Procession; San Felipe de Jesus Church, Antigua Guatemala
Here is the link to the video and I hope you enjoy it.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAznN3wsbE4


Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Videos of Holy Week in Latin America

 Jesus in procession, Holy Thursday, Merida, MX


Virgen de Dolores in procession, Holy Thursday, Merida, MX

Holy Week, the period of time from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday and when the central story of Christianity culminates, is observed with greater intensity in Latin America than elsewhere.  Celebrations there are on a grand scale and the story of Jesus' Passion unfolds in processions and pageantry.  What the outside world only hears in readings of the Gospel there can be seen in vivid color.  Here are a few videos links which will offer you a look into  Holy Week observances in Latin America.

Attend a very unique Holy Saturday religious service in Merida, Mexico in which Jesus  is resurrected in light.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMzCIxbLHWA

Participate in a Holy Wednesday Procession in rural San Mateo Milpas Altas, Guatemala.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIT5Wg5JNZE

Witness a Good Friday re-enactment of Jesus' Crucifixion in front of a Mayan pyramid in Acanceh, MX.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCVbI_aww6s