With the spring season also comes the rebirth of Christ, or Easter as some would rather call it. In Colombia our version of spring break is called Semana Santa, or Holy Week. Essentially the week leading into Easter Sunday. Since the country is overwhelmingly Catholic, the government recognizes this time of year and gives its citizens the days off. Monday, Thursday, and Friday are recognized as National Holidays; but certain entities such as schools and universities will take the whole week off and most small businesses will open at their leisure. Although people do use this time to travel or take a short vacation, Jesus Christ’s death and rebirth is respected and celebrated throughout the country. In my town, Usaicurí, it is something that is celebrated by most everyone.
The weeks leading into Holy week, people from the town go in groups praying at neighboring homes that would invite them with an open bible and lit candle on their porch. They shared a few prayers, sang a few songs, and exchanged a few words from the good book.
Via Crucis Prayers by town people.
At school, the last day prior to the Holy Week break, formal class was canceled, but students were still to attend for mass held at school, followed by a student led performance of the Via Crucis, translating to the reenactment of Jesus Christ’s death and crucification.
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Students carrying props home after the presentation.
On Good Friday, there was a whole town production of the Passion and Death of Christ. The performance began in the plaza with the events leading into Christ’s trial. Once that had ended the town was asked to follow along and chant prayers during the reenactment of Christ’s walk with the cross, and leading to his crucification. The route to the final crucification was path going through a majority of the neighborhoods for onlookers to view and reflect. Throughout the walk there were different stops replicating his falls, the whippings, and final goodbyes of his followers.
Soldiers entering from the audience.
Stage prior to performance beginning.
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Townspeople following Christ into neighborhoods
Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus carry the cross.
Disciples saying their goodbyes to Jesus.
Onlookers watching Christ’s last words.
That same night was a mass reflecting on the last seven words of Christ, followed by La Procecion, the procession or burial of Christ. During the mass, dozens of townspeople of varying ages came out to participate as disciples of Christ. After the mass, a crucified Christ statue was presented and taken down from the cross and placed in an open casket. That open casket was displayed throughout the entire town with a live band playing while townspeople marched with the buried Christ, his cross, and two statues of the Virgin La Dolorosa and Veronica. This walk had massive town participation, and onlookers, as it went through all neighborhoods asking for people to come and pay their respects.
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Local men participating as Los Caballeros del Santo Sepulcro.
Local women participating as Las Samaritanas
Mass taking place at the church’s entrance.
Jesus Christ’s body in casket.
Las Samaritanas leading the march.
La Procecion continuing into the night.
The following day was the rebirth of Christ and his ascending to heaven. Also filled with town participation as he was taken from the graveyard and back into the church.
Although we as an American culture have a separation church and state, I appreciate this from a cultural standpoint as well as a community activity. Living in a small town, these sorts of events really unite the people, who don’t always feel the need to publicly join together.
Easter in Usiacurí With the spring season also comes the rebirth of Christ, or Easter as some would rather call it.
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