Holy Week in Mexico
holy week mexico important religious observance well important vacation period preceded several observance lent carnival well observance day dedicated virgin sorrow well mass marking abandonment jesus disciple holy week proper begin palm sunday palm used day often woven intricate design many place procession mass observance happen week common maundy thursday good friday holy saturday easter sunday every community marking crucifixion jesus way good friday holy saturday marked burning juda especially center south country easter sunday usually marked mass well ringing church bell mexico holy week tradition mostly based spain brought spanish conquest aztec empire observance developed variation different part country due evangelization process colonial period indigenous influence several location notable observance related holy week including iztapalapa mexico city taxco san miguel de allende san luis potosí holy week one widely celebrated important religious observance mexico almost town city country kind public observance twoweek period start palm sunday least easter sunday extend week mexican television feature movie documentary show focused religious event topic related catholic faith especially latin america u tradition surrounding easter made little inroad mexico icon easter bunny event easter egg hunt limited supermarket area right along border united state like mexican catholic tradition related holy week easter based spanish catholic calendar holy week preceded lent ash wednesday preceded carnival however number tradition custom developed century event related holy week occur outside large gathering antojitos roughly translated mexican street food snack associated holiday prior easter sunday lenten dietary rule still effect observant popular street food include pambazos cheese fried fish fried plantain hot cakespancakes various topping candy popular street food time especially traditional regional one made coconut tamarind various fruit holy week also traditional start ice cream flavored ice season originally made mexico city ice snow brought popocatepetl volcano ice cream fair still held time today frozen treat include ice cream tub well popsicle made fruit cream well snow cone called “raspados” another popular refreshment called “aguas frescas” sugared drink made fruit natural flavoring tamarind hibiscus flower reason popularity frozen dessert flavored drink spring early summer generally warmest part year many part mexico holy week proper two event celebrated various part country first feast virgin sorrow virgen de los dolores occurs friday good friday focus pain sacrifice mary knowing jesus die save mankind image virgin usually dressed purple altar set day wednesday easter mass called “vespers darkness” los matines de la tinieblas recall disciples’ abandonment jesus altar church candelabra fifteen candle one candle extinguished singing psalm center candle representing jesus remains lit holy week begin palm sunday many community special mass dedicated blessing palm frond frond often woven cross design sometimes quite intricate brought parishioner holy water sprinkled frond later burned ash saved marking forehead following ash wednesday maundy thursday beginning celebration easter proper cathedral country special mass celebrated bishop “chrism” sacred oil used sacrament consecrated many church also hold reenactment last supper mass usually omit exchange greeting peace reminder judas’ betrayal jesus day holy saturday church bell traditionally rung reenactment day crucifixion take place almost community mexico good friday number tradition extend passion play enacted holy week focus reenactment carrying cross jesus crucifixion told station cross major production hundred people participate including entrance jesus jerusalem last supper betrayal judgment procession cross crucifixion resurrection holy saturday dedicated vigil waiting time jesus’ death resurrection statue virgin mary dressed black symbol mourning frequently solemn evening mass participant hold lighted candle followed event called burning juda mostly practiced central southern mexico originally burning effigy disciple betrayed jesus custom introduced mexico part evangelization process mexican inquisition effigy also burnt mock protest burning people stake effigy banned idea protest transferred juda figure burning juda continues place banned mexico city safety pollution concern figure still made city many collector item easter sunday celebrated mass usually crowded church bell ring plaza around church mass crowded churchgoer well street vendor selling food toy balloon many area procession mass activity extend another week mexico holy week tradition based spanish one brought conquest along created evangelization process indigenous influence resulted variation celebration various region town number variation become well known taxco san luis potosí san miguel de allende ajijic iztapalapa mexico city community notable celebration include pátzcuaro tzintzuntzan querétaro huajicori mesa de nayar creel cusarare chihuahua san ignacio arareco chihuahua jerez atlixco temascalcingo san juan chamula zinacantán famous passion play mexico held iztapalapa east mexico city production involves local resident born iztapalapa perform scene related last week jesus life palm sunday good friday production done year since today spectacle attracts million spectator mostly mexican play strictly biblical production number character spy dog “wandering jew” others unique event christ captured aztec drum flute played pontius pilate sentence jesus town iztapalapas main square whipped carry cross square cerro de la estrella route mile long eight borough oldest neighborhood important event procession cross crucifixion scene portrayed cerro de la estrella many others called “nazarenes” follow carrying cross wearing real crown thorn like jesus play end juda hanging crucifixion another important unique commemoration holy week occurs taxco state guerrero begin palm sunday large wooden statue christ traveling donkey town tehuilotepec four mile center taxco image preceded entrance taxco child bicycle resident portraying twelve apostle well drummer procession continue week led young child dressed angel immediately followed older girl dressed white white veil walking barefoot swinging incense burner containing copal procession biblical figure related passion christ represented wooden statue town surrounding village carried litter accompanied musical instrument playing melody prehispanic influence notable aspect procession penitent inflict pain suffering procession display moderated disappeared part mexico remain severe taxco penitent form three brotherhood called anima bent one encruzados crossed flagelantes flagellant wear black robe horsehair belt hood hide identity anima walk procession bent waist never straightening carrying relic cross candle brotherhood admits woman distinguished lighter chain attached ankle encruzados carry bundle thorned blackberry cane pound tied onto shirtless back arm candle hand flagelantes also barebacked carry large wooden cross arm hand rosary whip metal point appointed place penitent hand cross kneel whip back maundy thursday scene recreating garden gethsemane set santa prisca church friday statue jesus praying “captured” “jailed” friday “crucified” inside church penitent brotherhood looking candlelight vigil holy saturday ending late night announcement christ risen easter sunday quiet san miguel de allende noted observance holy week two week least one procession per day focus much pageantry “el señor de la columna” christ image brought sanctuary atotonilco paraded among various church area sunday palm sunday wednesday easter return atotonilco good friday image carried parish church san miguel accompanied resident dressed disciple roman soldier noon image holy family disciple mary magdalene john baptist also procession passion play performed dark image reappear procession dressed black accompanied measured drumbeat time concheros dancer sporadically appear especially main square san miguel burning juda occurs easter sunday holy saturday number city town hold procession silence people march street holding candle silence custom come spanish city seville important procession held city san luis potosí good friday begin pm plaza del carmen actor dressed roman troop playing drum bugle guard knock door carmen church beginning procession leaf church carrying cross paschal candle joined move onto street dressed white robe coneshaped hood symbol denoting religious group belong addition robed participant also dressed charros adelitas woman mexican revolution well indigenous dress focal point procession large figure virgin solitude virgin mary left alone death jesus platform weigh ton carried shoulder forty men procession continues around town punctuated ritual speech midnight last robed figure return carmen church tzintzuntzan holy week men horseback red hood lavender robe patrol area make sure store craftsman business usual central activity procession penitent led seven large cross care seven family generation cross front parish church good friday passion play performed local legend say recently nearby village penitent still nailed cross major pilgrimage site holy week chalma second visited pilgrimage site mexico basilica lady guadalupe focus pilgrimage image black crucified christ rite mix christian prehispanic influence bather dipping fresh water spring purification dance central part rite aztec tradition state newcomer obliged dance least one tune important event holy week include procession behind blackfaced christ figure patzcuaro veneration purplerobed paper mache image christ san francisco church historic center mexico city tarahumara chihuahua paint white ritual addition importance religiously also become important vacation period many company shut order provide time especially palm sunday easter sunday following week well schoolchildren high school generally get two week university student get one week class worker working full week tourism industry original reason time religious observance many skip aspect least part time go vacation hotel restaurant crowded especially major resort tourist destination airline transport price tend higher terminal crowded beginning end vacation period highway also heavily used nine million mexican traveled somewhere holiday economic impact ten billion peso mexico city eastern bus terminal tapo served people per day holy week double normal volume however major metropolitan area mexico city monterrey guadalajara tend quieter normal week many worker city leave vacation andor visit family province important vacation spot time beach area acapulco cancún puerto vallarta veracruz mazatlan los cabos huatulco vacation generally taken together family beach town resort fill vacationer well street vendor wandering musician take advantage business opportunity occupancy rate climb occupancy uncommon leading room rented private home cannot find accommodation often sleep vehicle even beach vacation destination include colonial city center morelia guanajuato querétaro san miguel de allende taxco san luis potosí zacatecas receive significant number visitor well many also cross border united state week especially live north andor family visit also popular go shopping country time making important time u retailer especially near mexican border