La Pascua

Pascua is Easter in Spanish.  Here in Spain, it is preceded by Semana Santa.  During 'Holy Week' processions are held, I believe from every Catholic church, at least all the big ones.  We went to Malaga to see one of theirs on Friday.  I am told that the people in pointed hats are penitents, who pay money for the opportunity to march in the procession.  They carry long orange or white candles and surprisingly most stayed lit.  The man with the beard is swinging a censer with burning incense.

 

These processions are very slow moving with lots of pauses.  The candles are held at this angle when they start walking.

There are bands spaced during the procession playing beautiful but mournful music, always with a strong rhythm.

Even when the music stops, the drum continues to help the men carrying the figures in step.

There are men even underneath these things, because they need all the help they can get.  The display is very heavy, and the men are sweating and glad to rest during the pauses.

As you can see the 'porters' are all about the same height and practice so that they can walk in step, lift and move together One I saw wore a blindfold.

There you can see part of the band.

Here is a different display, I don't really know what they are called. I keep wanting to call it an effigy or maybe an icon.  Anyway, Rod noticed that they all included the Virgin. Often they only have her represented.

That velvet is her cape.  You can see how many men are needed to carry this one.

There are many colors, I believe depending on what church or congregation they represent.

There are groups of tiny children participating too.  The onlookers are not barricaded from the route like we would be at a parade at home.  People tend to wander in and out and across the street without anyone getting excited.

 

 



There were other costumes too.

We really only saw 3 different groups.  There are 5-6 each evening of Holy Week.

That cross was carried by one group.  I believe they are taking it into the Cathedral.

I was intrigued that they have to hold the bottom of the headdress up against their faces so they can see out of the eye holes.

We hadn't eaten supper before we came, so we stopped at a little café on the street and had some French fries.  Watching the people was the best part.


Yes, I felt very cosmopolitan having supper at 11:00 pm in a sidewalk café in Spain.


There was a great contrast between the Catholic attitude toward Easter and our own.  They seem very focused on sin and penitence.  We are so much more focused on the resurrection and Salvation we receive from our Brother, Jesus Christ.  How blessed we are.  We know we must repent of our sin, but we have a 'brightness of Hope in Christ' and a confidence that he wants us to join him, to receive Life Eternal. 
Rod was in charge of our Sacrament meeting, so we had another program, with written parts which he hands out before meeting begins, spaced with songs.  This is because we never know how many people will be there, and because so many of our members find it difficult to give a talk in English.  What we take for granted at home!
After a very nice meeting, we had the Fuengirola missionaries over for Easter Dinner. 


I had to make a treat.  I was asked why chicks are Easter symbols.  I suppose it is because an apparently 'dead' egg opens up with new life, the chick.  The rabbit is harder, but again I think because of the new life.

Rod made his rabbit napkins again.  The missionaries were very impressed.

There are little toy surprises inside of the eggs.  I was surprised at what a hit they were.

Ham, cheese potatoes, broccoli salad, home made rolls... a feast!

We have such fun with all of the missionaries.  They almost make up for missing our kids.

We both find it hard to miss out on the baby blessings coming up.  Please know how much we miss you all and how much we love you.  Give the babies a hug from us. Oh, and lots of kisses too.
We are so deeply grateful for our Savior.  Through Him, we have the hope of eternal families.  We can't do enough to show Him our gratitude.
Love you and Happy Easter!