Friday 30th March 2018...the day the streets explode with processions and history!

The first important ceremony of the day is the trial and sentencing of Christ before Pontius Pilate. It takes place in the courtyard of the Parroquia and Church of Santa Escuela. Roman soldiers accompany a status of Christ from the church and the charges against him are read. As the trial continues and Pilate washes his hands, the crowd cries "Guilty!" 
Now the procession begins. First out is a beautiful statue of Mary as the Virgin of Sorrows. As she is carried around the square by several women, the long purple velvet train of her robe billows out behind her.
The ubiquitous angelitos, little girls in white dresses and angel wings that are part of every Holy Week procession, follow, strewing chamomile onto the pavement as they pass. 
These and other figures lead into the emergence of one of the most beloved statues in San Miguel de Allende, an extremely bloody and bowed Christ, who is also known as the "Rain God." This particular statue will be carried from church to church throughout the summer rainy season to insure good water for the crops.
Roman soldiers lead out a man tied up and dressed in a loincloth with whip marks on his back and shoulders. The part is always played by the main priest, exactly as has been done every year since it was started by Father Luis Felipe Neri Alfaro in 1765. He is followed by Romans and penitents dressed in purple sackcloth and crowns of thorns, wearing whips at their waists and carrying skulls in their hands. Some of them drag heavy wooden crosses on their shoulders. 
Finally, another statue emerges from the church; it is Christ bent under the heavy burden of the cross. He is clothed in purple robes with golden trim, his crown of thorns on his head, mounds of flowers at his feet. 



















heavy platforms with their holy figures continue around the Jardín, borne on the shoulders of the faithful. When Mary returns to the Parroquia, her bearers make a three-point turn and back her up to wait at the east corner of the square. Soon, the statue of Christ turns the corner and the two statues are facing each other. They are brought together until only a few yards separate their faces.
A complete hush falls on the crowd as Jesus comes face to face with his mother. It seems as if no one in the crowd is even breathing. And then Jesus lifts his head and looks directly into his mother's eyes.
The statue is cleverly constructed with a mechanism that allows the head to actually move. It is an amazing moment. And no matter how many times you have seen it, when Jesus looks up at his mother, the emotion in the air is palpable. Many people are in tears. You feel the people's religion alive in the streets all around you. Of all the events of Holy week, it is the single most awesome moment.

Gracie went down to the Jardin at 10.30am and had to wait almost two hours and the crowds were huge .....it was a special occasion to witness and my photos are not the greatest....












There is another celebration this evening and then another on Easter Sunday.
In all my years in 🇲🇽 this is the first time I have been here at Easter so I am enjoying the experience!!!