Holy Week in Antigua

In our recent prayer letter, we shared about Holy Week in Antigua, Guatemala.  It was our first Semana Santa to spend here. Although processionals occurred throughout the month, we only attended two of the 26 processionals scheduled for the week - one Thursday night and one Friday morning.  Thtoughout the month, but particularly the week itself, thousands flocked to Antigua to see, craft, or participate in the rituals, many hoping to gain the favor of God with a good work that will earn them a better chance at salvation.  Often throughout the month, as we drove through town, there were detours, roads closed, as people created the beautiful carpets (alfombras) of colored sawdust, fruits, vegetables, pine needles, and flowers. 

The carpets, some having taken many hours, and depending on the hour of the processional even throughout the night, are beautiful creations.



As the processional begins, men dressed as Roman soldiers pass, taking care to step alongside, and not on, the carpets.

Next the bearers of incense pass swinging their pots thickening the air with incense.  Special care is taken to diligently pass the incense over each of the intricate carpets.  Others walk alongside with extra charcoal and incense beads to keep the fires burning and the smoke billowing.







Men are attired in purple or purple and white, symbolizing mourning, penance and the blood of Christ, walk along the streets.  The men of the brotherhood, la cofradía, are responsible for the care of the saints used in the processionals, procurring the candle and incense supply, as well as other tasks.  It seems that they walk in expression of their rank - most important in front with the least important in the back.  They also carry the floats on their shoulders, often swapping positions with other cofrades along the route.  It also seemed, although I am not certain, that the honor may be handed to a male family member as I saw many boys, youths, and young men scattered along the route, carrying incense and supplies, and carrying some of the small andas (floats).

These full size floats took many men to carry the weight on their shoulders, the staffs provided stability and support for them as they swayed in the march.

Following this float depicting the crucifixion, many of the sidewalk crowd followed, joining in the processional.  As I viewed this, I thought of the many who probably joined the processional accompanying Jesus to Calvary, maybe not even knowing why they gathered.   



The result of the crowd walking on the carpets...many of the crowd bend to gather some of the flowers, sawdust, or other remants of the alfombra to carry with them.

But then came the anda of Mary, carried on the shoulders of women, young and mature.

As the processional came to a close, street cleaners followed cleaning the streets of the remants of alfombras and other remains of the crowd.

And then...the carnival like hawkers.  Lots of balloons, trinkets, snacks, and drinks enticed the remaining throng.













I have had a difficult time even writing this blog as I recall the repetition of tradition, the emptiness of religion, the lostness without hope.  I keep seeing faces of sadness



I guess it is much like it was in the days of Christ...until the RESURRECTION.  So much emphasis placed on the crucifixion...Hallelujah for the Cross!  Without the shedding of the blood of the Sinless One poured out on the cross to satisfy the guilt of sin, there would be no forgiveness. However, RESURRECTION was God's stamp of approval that the sacrifice of Christ, the shedding of His blood was and is sufficient for the covering of sin, providing SALVATION for all who will bow in confession and surrender to the Lamb that was slain. 

HALLELUJAH!!  He is RISEN!  He is RISEN indeed!