Semana Santa 2010

Semana Santa is the ultimate act of faith,
Performed by the community in public,
A series of one costumed re-enactment after another
Depicting each aspect of the last week of Jesus’ life.

At the Iglesia de San Antonio,
On the Thursday of the siete casas,
There is a re-enactment of the trial and sentencing.
The front of the church was decorated in palm trees and hills.
The apostles, in their colorful satin robes,
Spread themselves across the steps
Awaiting the Roman soldiers, Jesus and Pontious Pilot.
The women of Jerusalem sweep in, swaying and weeping.
The trial and sentencing is performed.

On Good Friday, in the city of Guanajuato,
There is a live re-enactment of Judas hanging himself.
He crawls up a hand made ladder,
Hooks his noose to a makeshift tree,
Attaches a rope and lets go.

2010 The Hanging of Judas – Semana Santa, Viernes Santo from Suzanne da Rosa on Vimeo.

Following Judas’ hanging,
The stations of the cross are performed.
Jesus receiving his cross,
The crown of thorns, his velvet cape.
His litter is carried by the brotherhood of penetentes,
Wearing purple burlap, heavy rope disciplinas and hoods.
They carry Jesus around the church 12 times,
One time for each station.
Thirty women in black dresses, veils and bare feet on cobblestones
Carry the heavy litter that holds Jesus’ Mother,
Mary, the Virgin of Sorrows.
As they move the litters to face each other,
She meets Jesus for the last time and words are exchanged.
The women are swaying back and forth, all the parishoners are crying.
Jesus’ face is wiped, his image is held in the cloth for all to see.
The women of Jerusalem walk behind supporting the Magdalena
Who wears purple and can barely keep herself upright.
In the final round, he is brought to the front of the church
For the crucifixion.