Semana Santa

Easter not only consist on Sunday, but instead a whole week of remembrance. In my country for a whole year "worthy" men and women prepared for this week of "procesiones" (pageants) and masses. In some towns, Catholic Churches have a daily Mass with live representations of the last days of Jesus Christ, but truly, on Wednesday everything stops, people have the "Semana Santa" (holy week) off, no work, some lucky people don't work for the whole week but usually the state and federal offices close on Wednesday. No school and no mail.

Friday is the day you can't go nowhere, streets are close because the 12 stations pageant is happening. The 12 stations consist of the 12 stops Christ made from the time he was sentenced to death to the time he was Crucified, in each station

• one nun calls out the name of the station,
• the priest will read from the bible about what's going on,
• the same nun or maybe someone else will pray a "Padre Nuestro" .
• 10 "Ave Marias",
• 5 "Dios te salve Reyna y Madre" and
• 3 "Glorias" (If I knew the names in English I would write it)

to make a total of about 19 prayers per station, let's say about 40 minutes of prayers per stop. A lot of prayers.

I have to tell you that I like the "Holly Rosary" (that's how the whole round of prayers is called) it's very spiritual; of course it's a repetition of a pre-written prayer, but as you repeat it over and over again you will learn to understand it.

This "procesiones" will go for hours all depends how far away each station is located, it will go all around town for all to see. People will dress up as the Romans, priests and common people of the era, a "worthy" man is selected to be Jesus Christ and endure the sacrifice of caring to 2 2 by 4 in a shape of a cross around town moaning and screaming like if it was true.

I'm sorry if I'm cruel or mean to say that, but i never believed that the man representing Jesus Christ was ever worthy of caring his name, I just couldn't understand, the principles that found him worthy at all.

Anyway if you know the story you can picture a live representation of it on the streets of Costa Rica right in front of the supermarket, next to the bank heading to the big cathedral where the man will be crucified. The virgin Mary will be portrait by Carmen the one who had 3 kids from one father and 2 from another, and Maria Magdalena will be portrait by Jesus Christ real mom. (just my point)

Beside of been very annoying, I never believed the truthfulness of the people who were participating on the pageant, beside that I learned the story very well, I learned to love Jesus Christ as my Saviour, and redeemer. I learned that he was the ultimate sacrifice for the remission of my sins, I learn to stay away from the Romans (they are crazy) and I found out also that I had more questions than answers.

I'm glad that now I know where to go for answers.