Semana Santa

 .. or Holy Week began last Friday and continues through tomorrow, Easter Sunday.  The celebration of Easter looks very different here in Spain than what we are accustomed to seeing and hearing in the states. There are no Easter Egg trees, or pretty pastel baskets, or even egg dye kits to be found.  In a few stores you may find some Easter candy, but this is just becoming a little more popular - it is definitely not the norm.

Instead Semana Santa is marked with processions.  There are processions nearly every day for the entire week, and on some days more than one.  The processions, or parades, are religious in nature and are very solemn and serious.  Each day the procession will mark a different moment in the ministry of Jesus.

On Monday we attended a procession here in town.  The processions here are small compared to some of the towns with great marks in religious history, but it was large enough to begin to get a feel for them.

When we arrived at the procession the biggest crowds were at the beginning - at a Catholic Church.  It was important to see the people and floats emerge from the church.  After a considerable wait you began to smell the incense and the ringing of the single bell and then the crowds grew silent.  The only noise in the crowds were the occasional sound of a baby or a camera clicking.  Imagine being at your town's Christmas parade and when it beginning the crowds growing completely quiet.

Toward the beginning of the procession were a few children who walked along the edge of the crowd collecting an offering.  Immediately after them were members of a "brotherhood,"laypersons in the catholic church who perform religious acts of service.  These people were in a robe and hate that will cause Americans to draw a comparison to a non-religious group in history, however there is no connection in their meaning.

There will be elaborate floats that are carried on the shoulders of many men.  There will often be a band at the end of the procession as well.

It was incredible to watch and experience this procession.

We were told by one person that to be part of the procession is a tremendous honor in the Catholic church as well as, in a sense, a way to gain favor with the church.

Interestingly, another contrast is that by far the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday processions are of the highest importance.

In reaction, the evangelical church in Spain chooses to do very little celebration of Easter.  The meaning is talked about in the church and the spirit of celebration is there - but again, in a very different way than our home culture.  It is small, quiet, and personal to each church and congregation.