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Authentic traditions in universal holidays
This is the great solemnity of the Catholic calendar, and Muros has some unique events including ‘pigeon day’. Paraliturgical acts like this date back, in some cases, to the 17th and 18th centuries.
Friday of Sorrows. The procession of the sorrowful, starting at the Parish Church, accompanied by the fraternity and the faithful, carrying candles.
Palm Sunday. In the morning, the blessing of the bouquets in the atrium of the chapel of San Roque before the procession starts. In the afternoon, the ‘Procession of the Silent’ – the Stations of the Cross through the streets of the town.
Holy Thursday. A solemn mass of the Last Supper and the Procession of the Sacrament, a complete retelling of the events of the Passion, from the Last Supper until Christ takes up the cross.
Good Friday. In the morning, in the Town Hall square, the Sermon of the Meeting (on the way to Calvary, Christ meets his mother) with various statues: the Nazarene, the Sorrowful Virgin, Saint John and Veronica. In the afternoon, celebration of the Passion with the Sermon of the Seven Words, then removal of the nails in the Parish Church. The Holy Burial procession follows, with a Reclining Christ accompanied by the Virgin Mary, St John and Mary Magdalene.
Easter Sunday. At 11am in the Town Hall square, an act unique to Muros takes place. All eyes are on a large blue ball. The disciples Peter and John come to the tomb, alerted by Mary Magdalene that Jesus’s body has disappeared. The Virgin Mary arrives. At that moment, the ball opens and an angel emerges, taking Mary’s black robe and proclaiming “Mourn no more, Sovereign Queen: your Son has risen. Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya!”. Music plays, pigeons are released and Mary is resplendent in a white cloak. The statue of Christ Risen enters the square and goes to his mother while the angel bows to them. The people process to the Parish Church to celebrate the Easter solemn mass.
