Searching for
Good Friday Procession| The paper indicated big goings on in Cartago during Samana Santa, which would make sense knowing something of the history and character of Cartago. There was a procession in the paper scheduled for 9am. Not sure from where to where, but 9am. I walked down to the highway (remember the city buses are down) and caught the 8am for Cartago. Only unusual thing was a company of roman legions on the road. Of course we needed to stop and let them pass.
After they got past us, and they were about 200 strong, we continued into the city. Just like San Jose was the day before the city was dead. Nothing open, nobody on the streets. I went to the basilica to see if anything was forming up. They had a service going on, but that was all and by then it was 9:15. Perhaps I misunderstood...
I walked back to the cathedral and found people in the church, there was also a figure of Christ on a platform with fresh flowers (not unusual) that could be used in a procession, but it wasn't going anyplace. I explored a couple of other places in town and returned to the cathedral. By then there were more people outside the church and vendors selling food, balloons and the ever present eyeglass straps (?). I went inside, other than there being more people nothing of note was happening. From inside the church I could begin to hear the Roman legion approaching nothing was happening out of the ordinary. But then, that was enough out of the ordinary. I went outside to find the church surrounded. There were now hundreds of people and some 200 troops. The local clergy was speaking over the loud speakers. This went on for about half an hour until with the accompaniment of some of the worst bugle playing I've ever heard came from the church the Christ statue on it's pedestal adorned with flowers. It was placed on a stand and a sermon was delivered. (It's not about 10:30 BTW.)
Around 11am the Christ figure joins the procession. Off they go around a couple of blocks and then return to the church. Accompanied by one of the best marching brass bands I've ever heard. There they are met my a figure of Mary and several women. The procession flows around Mary and the other women on their way to the central square. By now there are thousands of people in attendance. I can't imagine where they all came from. Around noon the procession makes it to the square for a pause and about 45 minutes more of narration and prayers. Then on down the road to the basilica. Where the crucification scene will be played out.
Quite the day! |
|
|
- (17) 
