Semana Santa gets underway on Palm Sunday – March 24 – with religious processions and church services commemorating Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Pilgrims carry herbal bouquets or symbolic figures fashioned from palm fronds purchased from street vendors, to be blessed with holy water by the clerics.
Chapala: Blessing of palms and the start of the procession take place 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, 1:15 p.m., to arrive at the San Antonio parish for Mass at 2 p.m. A traditional fair, with food andgames will be held at the plaza, noon to 7 p.m.
Ajijic: The Blessing of Palms is held at Seis Esquinas, corner of Hidalgo and Alvaro Obregon, 7:15 p.m., followed by the procession taking Calle Hidalgo-Parroquia to arrive at the San Andres parish atrium for 8 p.m. Mass. The Passion Play organizing committee hosts the traditional Jamaica del Pasado (old-fashioned village fair) at the plaza, 4 to 11 p.m., with stands offering typical foods and games.