Holy Week in Guatemala

SAN LUCAS TOLIMAN.

MYSTERY PLAYS OF HOLY WEEK in SAN LUCAS TOLIMAN

The PROCESSIONS celebrated during Holy Week in San Lucas Toliman (and through-out Guatemala) are medieval style mystery plays. The dramatization of the religious mysteries surrounding the passion, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus is an effective way of teaching, reflecting on and celebration of the story of our salvation.

PALM SUNDAY (Domingo de Ramos): Mt. 21:1-9, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:28-40
John 12:12-19

After the 7:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, representatives of the Cofradia (a Confraternity of men and women carrying on long held religious traditions) meet the Padre at the church to take him to the Cofradia Center (across the street from the town cemetery). At this Center palms have been prepared for blessing and the statue of Jesus mounted on a burro awaits to be carried in the Palm Sunday Procession that will eventually pass through-out the Village on the determined Procession Route. Upon completion of the blessing ceremony the adorned statue is carried on a wooden platform (anda) in Procession to the Parish Church. There a Palm Sunday Mass is celebrated with a shortened form of the Passion and Death of Jesus read for the Gospel of the day. After Mass, the Procession continues on its way over the determined procession route distributing palms as it progresses through Town.

MONDAY (Lunes Santo)

In the Cofradia Center preparations are being made with the statue of 'Maximon' (San Simon). Villages vary in their understanding and celebration of this mysterious personage; probably a christianizing of a Mayan personage with the power of both good and evil. Maximon is seen as a person who has powers to go to God for curing illnesses, to rectify harm, to avoid danger. Maximon is also seen as a personage who can bring evil upon an indicated person. On 'Miercolis Santo' and 'Viernes Santo' he becomes Judas Iscariot. His Christian day of celebration is the Feast Day of St. Peter.

In a second Cofradia Center on the south side of the parish church, preparations are being made to decorate the 'anda' that will be used to carry the glass casket of Jesus during Holy Week's principle procession - EL SANTO ENTIERRO or SANTO SIPULTURA of VIERNES SANTO (Good Friday).

TUESDAY (Martes Santo) The Road to Golgotha: Mt. 27:31b-32, Mark 15: 20b-21,
Luke 23:26-32, John 19:17a

The statue of Jesus carrying His Cross leaves the church at about 8:00 a.m.for the Celebration of the Way of the Cross though-out Town (the determined procession route). At about 9:00 a.m. four statues (La Virgen Maria, Santa Veronica, San Juan, Santa Maria Magdalena) leave the church 'looking for Jesus'. They process on the determined procession route but in the opposite direction to 'find Jesus' in the center of Town on the corner of the community park. This Procession is the famed EL ENCUENTRO. Martes Santo is the largest market day of the year in San Lucas thus there is a mass of people moving about the center of Town. In the midst of this hubbub of commercial activity, the four statues representing those looking for Jesus find Him and Jesus recognizes them on His Way of the Cross. First the 'anda' of Jesus is dipped to signify a bow. Then each 'anda' of the four looking for Him are dipped - again - signifying a bow and acceptance, appreciation of Jesus in a most difficult time in His life on earth. The four statues then position themselves behind the statue of Jesus and follow Him through-out the remaining Processions of Holy Week. This 'Encounter with Christ' celebrates sacrament.

WEDNESDAY (Miercolis Santo) Judas Iscariot: Mt. 26: 14-16, Mark 14: 10-11,
Luke 22: 3-6
Death of Judas Iscariot: Mt. 27:3-10

Maximon becomes Judas Iscariot this day.

Having 'sold out Jesus' Judas Iscariot become rich (30 pieces of silver). The squandering of the money is depicted as Maximon is placed in a small 'house' in the patio of the church where he is dressed in fancy clothes, new boots, has 'aguardiente' (a strong rum) at his feet and smokes a big cigar. On Viernes Santo the final stage of Judas Iscariot's life on earth is shown by hanging himself on the church façade as the SANTO ENTIERRO PROCESSION passes beneath his body.

THURSDAY (Jueves Santo) Last Supper Mt. 26: 26-29, Mark 14:22-25,
Luke 22:15-20, John 6:51-58
Washing the Disciples feet Mt. 23: 6-12, Mark 14:22-25
Luke 22:15-20,
John 6:51-58
Gethsemane Mt. 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42
Luke 22: 40-43, John 18: 1b

There are three special celebrations on JUEVES SANTO - Mass to celebrate Eucharist,
Washing of the Disciples' feet, the Agony in the Garden.

At about 2:00 p.m. there is a celebration beginning in church with the washing of the feet twelve youngsters who symbolize Jesus' Apostles - (they will accompany the SANTO ENTIERRO PROCESSION on Viernes Santo). This short ceremony is followed by a short procession to the church hall where the Padre eats a meal (symbol) with the Cofradia Leaders depicting the Last Supper.

At about 3:00 p.m. there is a Procession with Children carrying a small 'anda' with JESUS NAZARENO through-out Town celebrating the time Jesus spent in the Garden of Gethsemane before his trial.

At about 8:00 p.m. The PROCESION DE SILENCIO begins at the church door to take again the prescribed procession route through-out Town. The 'anda' is lighted and there is a roll of drums. The Procession with continue until about 1:00 a.m. This Procession depicts Jesus' AGONY IN THE GARDEN.

Also at 8:00 p.m. the MISA DE JUEVES SANTO begins in church. During this Mass there is the ceremony of the Washing of the Disciples' Feet celebrated by a group of men from the congregation. After Mass the faithful go off to catch up with the PROCESION DE SILENCIO.

After Mass the Blessed Sacrament will be taken to a special Altar of Repose until the Easter Vigil of Sabado Santo.

FRIDAY (Viernes Santo) The Crucifixion: Mt. 27:57-61, Mark 15:22-26,
Luke 23: 33-38, John 19:17b-27

Burial of Jesus: Mt. 27: 57-61, Mark 15:42-47,
Luke 23: 50-56, John 19: 38-42

Most celebrated of the Days of Holy Week

At about 8:00 a.m. the statue of Jesus carrying His cross leaves for a second EL ENCUENTRO in the center of Town. This time the Procession continues on to the church to celebrate the mystery of the Crucifixion of Jesus at 12:00 noon exactly. The ceremony is very impressive. At 3:00 p.m. exactly, the Decent from the Cross is celebrated in church - again a very impressive ceremony. During this time there will be groups of people all about town preparing beautiful, full of religious symbols, multi-colored rugs made of died saw-dust and flower peddles. The hundred participating in this 'celebration of Good Friday' is impressive indeed. At 4:00 p.m. exactly the Major Procession of EL SANTO ENTIERRO - or - SANTO SEPULTURA begins to the beat of drums and solemn music of Good Friday. The Procession will continue until 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m. Holy Saturday morning. The beautiful rugs have been made just for Jesus on His way to the Tomb to pass over.

At 10:00 a.m. the traditional Good Friday Liturgy is celebrated including prayers for the World and the reading of the Passion. This celebration is in church just before the Procession of El Santo Entierro arrives.

SATURDAY (Sabado Santo) VIGILIA PASCUAL The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Mt. 28: 18, Mark 16: 1-8, Luke 24: 1-12
John 20: 1-13

At 8:00 p.m. the magnificent Celebration of the PASCAL VIGIL is celebrated in Church.

SUNDAY (Domingo de Resurreccion) EASTER SUNDAY
Jesus Appears to the Women Mt. 28: 9-11, Mark 16: 9-11,
Luke 24: 10-11, John 20: 14-18

At 6:00 a.m. la PROCESION DE JESUS RESUSITADO begins at the church and moves over the prescribed procession route through-out the Community. This Procession is celebrated by the many youth and adult groups that form an integral part the whole Parish Community.

Though customs and traditions have a way of diminishing, changing, fading over the centuries, I do hope this gives a bit of an idea of what is behind the Celebrations of SEMANA SANTA EN GUATEMALA.

By:

Gregory Schaffer.

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