 |
| Mary, Jenny, and Me |
March 27th - Wednesday
Katie
and I took a bus towards Comayagua and were dropped off in the dark outside Palmerola
U.S. Military base because the bus did not go directly into the city. We
arrived around 9pm and thankfully a taxi was nearby to drive us to our hotel where
we met up with Jenny, Mary, and the others. People have told me repeatedly to be
careful when traveling by taxi, especially as a gringo and a female. In Roatán,
there are certain taxi car numbers that you know not to take. It's too bad that a few taxi drivers have given the others a bad name because I've met some very nice drivers, especially in Comayagua. The taxi drivers during Semana Santa were all very kind. They made sure we knew all the events going on in
town. My favorite taxi driver was listening to Catholic mass on the
radio. Awesome!
The
processions started following Holy Thursday mass and continued through Easter Sunday.
Generally, in a procession, there is a giant heavy platform which is
elaborately decorated by scenes of Jesus’s Passion and Resurrection. It is
carried by fifty people, wearing heavy cloaks with tall peaked hoods. Their
clothing comes from flagellants in Spain who would wear hoods as a form of
punishment or penance. Flagellants were extremists during the 13th
and 14th century who participated in physical forms of mortification
such as whipping. The reason for participating in these processions today is
indeed an act of penance, but in a non-violent way and completely voluntary.
People sign up to carry a platform as a sign of penance and by wearing hoods
and draped robes, they are provided anonymity.
Shortly
after the evening procession started on Holy Thursday, local Hondurans began a
long night of constructing the most beautiful alfombras (carpets) you could ever imagine
out of colored sawdust, beans, rice, and other materials. The carpets were
found all around the central plaza area: in every street and alley way. People worked
tirelessly from 11pm that evening until 10am the next morning for the Good
Friday procession. We came early the next morning to walk around and admire the
colorful carpets. There were thousands of people who came to look at the
carpets and watch the procession. Stations of the Cross were said
in Spanish and English, as the platform processed over the carpets in town
dispersing the sawdust.
On
Saturday, we attended Easter Vigil mass with eight religious brothers at the
Franciscan Friary. It was a BEAUTIFUL liturgy and one that I will always
remember. The mass began outside in silence underneath a vast amount of stars
with mountains in the background. The celebrating priest lit the Easter candle
from a bonfire and passed that same flame to each of our candles. We moved into
the small chapel and began listening to readings from the Old Testament,
followed by beautifully sung Psalms. The friars invited about twenty guests for
mass and a reception afterwards. It was a great night!
We
spent most of Easter Sunday drinking awesome frozen lemonadas, journaling, and
reading in the central plaza area of Comayagua. The Cathedral also had an
outdoor mass where hundreds of men, women and children gathered to celebrate
our Risen Lord. It was a beautiful and very memorable Semana Santa! I am blessed to have been a part of these long
standing traditions in Comayagua and to have shared these experiences with my
sister and good friends.
Holy Thursday Procession
Holy Thursday
Locals spent the entire night making beautiful sawdust alfombras (carpets)
Cathedral in Comayagua
Procession on Good Friday morning
Stations of the cross
Last minute touches before the procession began
eggs and cashews were used to enhance this design
Fe = faith
The details were amazing!!
Papa Francisco
"Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid" ~ Jesus ~
Matthew: 14:24
 |
| Me, Mary, and Jenny |
Our last night all together for supper
Mary, Jenny, & Katie
Our favorite place with great lemonadas!
