Semana Santa is Back

Good Friday Procession, Antigua Guatemala

For the past two years, because of the Covid pandemic, many Latin American countries cut back or eliminated Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations.  This year most of this vivid  pageantry is back on schedule.  

In the United States, Easter observances are subdued and more or less private, interior events, although there is communal worship.  In Mexico and Latin America, observance is more public and enacted rather than being a matter of solely personal devotion.  This brings the events of Holy Week, the time directly leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, to life. The vivid displays are moving and unforgettable.  

                                              Building Sawdust Carpets, Antigua Guatemala

Procession, Antigua Guatemala

Good Friday Procession, Leon Nicaragua

Sawdust Carpet under construction, Leon Nicaragua

If you are unfamiliar with Semana Santa celebrations, I invite you to explore them through these links:

Holy Saturday in Merida Mexico: https://colonialmexicoinsideandout.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-resurrection-of-jesus-on-good.html

Holy Week Processions: https://colonialmexicoinsideandout.blogspot.com/2014/05/holy-week-processions-with-video.html

A unique Holy Thursday tradition: https://colonialmexicoinsideandout.blogspot.com/2014/05/jesus-in-jail-holy-thursday-in-antigua.html

One of a kind Holy Wednesday tradition rooted in medieval penitential practices: https://colonialmexicoinsideandout.blogspot.com/2016/04/taking-hit-holy-wednesday-in-nandaime.html 

Merging of sacred and profane during Holy Week: https://colonialmexicoinsideandout.blogspot.com/2016/06/sacred-meets-profane-holy-wednesday-in.html

The fantastic sawdust carpets of Antigua Guatemala:  https://colonialmexicoinsideandout.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-anatomy-of-sawdust-carpet-lent-in.html

Video of Holy Saturday Procession: https://colonialmexicoinsideandout.blogspot.com/2015/04/video-holy-saturday-procession.html

The Last Supper Comes to Life in Merida, Mexico:  https://colonialmexicoinsideandout.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-power-of-unique-image-capilla-de-el.html

The beautiful floral/plant/vegetable displays created for Holy Week:

https://colonialmexicoinsideandout.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-huertos-of-guatemala-and-nicaragua.html

The beautiful sawdust carpets of Nicaragua and their significance. 

https://colonialmexicoinsideandout.blogspot.com/2017/05/art-as-sacrifice-sawdust-carpets-of.html

Granada Nicaragua's  picturesque and one of a kind Via Crucis (stations of the cross)  done on Lake Nicaragua in boats, 

https://colonialmexicoinsideandout.blogspot.com/2018/04/via-crucis-aquatic-granada-nicaragua.html