Easter, the most important holiday on the Christian calendar, will be celebrated throughout the coming week with a series of traditional activities that literally bring religious doctrine to life.
Dramatic representations of the Passion of Christ – commonly referred to as the Via Crucis or Judea Viviente – will be the highpoint of Semana Santa (Holy Week) observances in many communities across the nation, including those located in the Lake Chapala area. The calendar given here will guide you to activities scheduled in Chapala, San Antonio and Ajijic. Consult local churches and neighbors for programs in San Juan Cosalá, Jocotepec and other localities.
Be aware that listed starting times are flexible and spectators often assemble an hour or more in advance to gain the best viewing spots. Those attending are advised to wear light-weight clothing, hats and sturdy walking shoes, apply sun screen and carry drinking water. Motorists can expect traffic back-ups when and where events are underway.
April 9 – Palm Sunday
Processions and church services commemorate Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Pilgrims carry herbal bouquets or woven palm frond figures made at home or bought from street vendors
Chapala: Blessing of palms and the procession start outside the municipal coliseum at the north end of Avenida Madero, 8 a.m., continuing along the main thoroughfare to the San Francisco church atrium for celebration of Mass, 9 a.m.
San Antonio: The procession leaves the Unidad Deportiva sports complex at the west end of Ramon Corona, 1 p.m., to arrive at the San Antonio parish for Mass at 2 p.m.
Ajijic: The Pasión de Cristo group hosts the Jamaica del Pasado Verbena (old-fashioned village fair) at the plaza, 4 to 11 p.m., with stands offering typical foods and games; Mexican clothing suggested. The Blessing of Palms takes place at Seis Esquinas, corner of Hidalgo and Alvaro Obregon, 6:30 p.m., followed by the procession along Hidalgo-Parroquia to the San Andres parish atrium for Mass, 7 p.m.
April 13 – Maundy Thursday
Jueves Santo is marked by religious services commemorating the Last Supper. Afterwards, church bells and musical instruments are silenced inside all churches until the conclusion of Saturday’s Easter Vigil.
Chapala: Visit to the Seven Temples, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., leaving from San Francisco parish for stops at six other church around town. Cena del Señor (Last Supper) services are held at San Francisco, 5 p.m.
San Antonio: Following evening service at the village parish, 7 p.m., the Passion Play opens on stage at the Cuauhtemoc school across the street, 8:30 p.m., with scenes of the Last Supper, Garden of Gethsemane, arrest and trial of Jesus, with live music by the CREM Orchestra.
Ajijic: Celebration during evening Mass at the San Andres church, 7 p.m. Representation of the Last Supper at Seis Esquinas, 8:20 p.m. Passion Play episodes of the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ’s final teachings to his Disciples, his apprehension by Pharisees and soldiers staged on mountainside lot at the top of Calle El Tempisque, 9 p.m. Followed by a torch-light march to the plaza via Emiliano Zapata and Colon for scenes of the Judgment by the Sanhedrin.
April 14 – Good Friday
Viernes Santo events climax with reenactments of the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), Crucifixion and Christ’s burial. Following somber evening church services, mourners join La Marcha de Silencio, a chilling procession through darkened streets that is silent except for the sound of shuffling feet and chains dragged along the ground.
Chapala: The Via Crucis Viviente, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., starts at the San Francisco atrium, with scenes of the Last Supper through the Trial of Jesus, followed by the march to Calvary and enactment of the Crucifixion. Celebration of the Passion of Christ, 4 p.m., held at San Francisco, Carmen and Refugio churches. The Marcha de Silencio leaves all three locations, 8 p.m., followed by Rosary of Condolence and Reflection on the Last Words from the Cross.
San Antonio: The Passion Play picks up again, 12:30 p.m., with the Way of the Cross starting at the east end of town, Calle Ramon Corona at Arroyo Hondo, running straight through town and turning north to the Crucifixion site above the cemetery on Calle Allen Lloyd. Afterwards the body of Christ is carried to the church atrium to be laid to rest in his tomb. Passion of Christ service is held at the church, 5 p.m. The Marcha de Silencio departs the parish 9 p.m., winding through town past the Four Crosses and returning to the church for the Rosary of Sorrows, 10 p.m.
Ajijic: The Pasión de Cristo program picks up again in the San Andres atrium, 11 a.m., with scenes of Christ facing judgment and condemnation before Pontius Pilate and Herod, and flagellation by Roman soliders, played out on rotating scenic backdrops. The Via Crucis follows, with performers and spectators accompanying Jesus as he bears a heavy wooden cross to the Crucifixion site, taking Calles Parroquia-Hidalgo, Juarez, Angel Flores and Tempisque to the same spot of Thursday night’s sequences. Afterwards, the Disciples carry Christ’s body back to the center of town for a burial scene inside the church. Liturgy of the Passion and the Rosary of Sorrows at the San Andrés atrium, beginning 7 p.m. The Marcha de Silencio leaves there, 9 p.m.
April 15 – Holy Saturday
Chapala: Solemn Easter Vigil services at San Francisco, Carmen and Refugio churches start at 9 p.m. Burning of Judas figures outside city hall around 11 p.m.
San Antonio: Blessing of the New Fire ceremony starts at the waterfront Malecón, 9 p.m. Vigilia Pascual at the church, 10 p.m., includes Via Crucis players reenacting the Resurrection.
Ajijic: Solemn Easter Vigil service, 8 to 10 p.m., San Andres atrium, with Passion Play cast principals appearing in the Resurrection scene. The Quema de Judas follows around 11 p.m. at the plaza.
April 16 – Easter Sunday
Domingo de Gloria services scheduled at all local churches throughout the day.