When Is Holy Week Celebrated in Mexico?
In Mexico, Holy Week, or Santa Semana, is the largest and most important religious celebration of the year. Since a large population of the country is Roman Catholic, almost everyone attends the various Masses and festivals held throughout the week. Street vendors and balloons can be found throughout villages in Mexico as everyone comes out to celebrate and worship. Mexicans mix solemn religious services with rowdier entertainment during Holy Week.
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When to Celebrate
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Holy Week begins on the Sunday before Easter. This day is called Domingo de Ramos, or Palm Sunday. Holy Week ends on Domingo de Gloria, or Easter Sunday.
Easter is not celebrated on the same date every year. Instead, it is celebrated on the Sunday following the paschal full moon. This is considered to be the first full moon following the spring equinox.
Easter must always occur on a Sunday, because Christians believe that Jesus was resurrected on Sunday. Holy Week reflects the events leading up to the resurrection, including the Last Supper and the Crucifixion.
Blessing of the Palms
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Holy Week kicks off on Palm Sunday with an elaborate procession that signifies Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem. This is followed by a special Mass where palm fronds and other items made from palm leaves are blessed and then burned. The ashes from this fire are saved and later used for marking the foreheads during Mass in the sign of the cross on Ash Wednesday later in the year.
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Vespers of Darkness
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On Wednesday, there is a vespers service, "los matines de las tinieblas." This service recaalls the disciples who abandoned Jesus. Fifteen candles are set on the altar and lit. As a psalm is sung, one candle is snuffed. At the end of the vespers service, only one candle remains lit; it commemorates Jesus.
Maundy Thursday
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Thursday, Jueves Santo, is a particularly important day when many Masses are held all over the country. During one service, the Chrism is consecrated. Chrism is a special holy oil used in the sacrament. There are often special re-enactments of the Last Supper. Church attendees are reminded of Judas' betrayal of Jesus on this day, and all church bells are silenced. Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of Tridual Pascual; the three most important days of Holy Week.
Good Friday
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It is believed that Friday, also called Viernes Santos, is the day that Jesus was crucified. Catholics remember the crucifixion with the Via Crucis, or Way of the Cross, which is a long production commemorating the event. These plays often last for hours and include hundreds of cast members. Churches also display an Altar de Dolores that signifies Mary's loss when her son is killed.
Holy Saturday
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The most important vigil of the entire week, during Mass on this day, participants light a candle and hold it through the service.
To lighten things up a bit after the Mass, participants watch paper likenesses of Judas burn in the street. These puppets are made by cohetero, who specialize in fireworks. The Judas figures are stuffed with small fireworks and hung throughout the village. They are then lit on fire, where they explode, much to the delight of the spectators.
Easter Sunday
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Domingo de Gloria is Easter, and marks the end of Holy Week. This day is considered the most holy days for Roman Catholics, and it is celebrated as such. All Catholics are expected to take Holy Communion at Mass on this day. The church bells, which have been silent for three days, ring out to mark the resurrection of Jesus.
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References
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