Christian doctrine literally comes to life through traditional reenactments of the Passion of Christ that will take place in lakeside communities from April 14 through 20.
The Semana Santa (Holy Week) calendar given below lists principal activities scheduled in Chapala, San Antonio Tlayacapan and Ajijic. Consult churches and neighbors for programs held in San Juan Cosalá, Jocotepec and other localities.
APRIL 14:
Palm Sunday
Domingo de Ramos processions commemorate Jesus’ 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 at the Malecón, 9:30 a.m., precedes procession to the San Francisco parish.
San Antonio: Procession starts at the Unidad Deportiva sports complex, 1:15 p.m., following Ramón west to east Corona at the San Antonio parish for Palm Sunday Mass, 2 p.m.
Ajijic: The Pasión de Cristo group hosts the Jamaica del Pasado Verbena, an old-fashioned village fair at the plaza, with typical foods and drinks for sale from 5 p.m. Blessing of Palms at Seis Esquinas, Calle Hidalgo at Alvaro Obregon, 6:30 p.m., followed by the procession along Hidalgo-Parroquia to the San Andrés parish atrium for Mass, 7 p.m.
APRIL 18:
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: Cena del Señor (Last Supper) service at San Francisco parish, 7 p.m.
San Antonio: Opening sequences of village Passion Play staged at the Cuauhtemoc school opposite the church, 8:30 p.m.
Ajijic: Pasión de Cristo cast reenacts the Last Supper, 8 p.m., waterfront volleyball court between Libertad and Niños Héroes. The program continues with Garden of Gethsemane episodes at the top end of Calle El Tempisque, 9 p.m., followed by Christ’s apprehension by Pharisees and soldiers and a torch-light march to the plaza for scenes of the Judgment by the Sanhedrin.
APRIL 19:
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 Viacrucis Viviente, starts at the San Francisco atrium, 9 a.m. The Marcha de Silencio leaves the church, 8 p.m.
San Antonio: Viacrucis Viviente starts at the east end of Calle Ramon Corona at Arroyo Hondo, 12:30 p.m., with the Way of the Cross, turning north at Calle San José towards 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. The Marcha de Silencio departs the parish 9 p.m., winding through town past the Four Crosses
Ajijic: Pasión de Cristo cast presents sequences of Christ facing judgment before Pontius Pilate and Herod and flagellation by Roman soldiers, San Andres atrium, starting 11 a.m. The Via Crucis follows, with performers and spectators escorting Jesus as he bears his cross to the Crucifixion site, taking Calles Parroquia-Hidalgo, Juárez, Angel Flores and Tempisque to the spot of Thursday night scenes. From there the Disciples carry Christ’s body back to the church for burial. The Marcha de Silencio leaves the San Andrés atrium, 9 p.m.
APRIL 20:
Holy Saturday
Chapala: Easter Vigil and celebration of the Resurrection service at San Francisco, 9 p.m.
San Antonio: Vigilia Pascual at the church atrium, 10 p.m. with Passion Play principals reenacting the Resurrection.
Ajijic: Easter Vigil service, 8 p.m., San Andres atrium, with Passion Play principals appearing in the Resurrection scene.
APRIL 21:
Easter Sunday
Domingo de Gloria services scheduled at all local churches throughout the day.