In Spain, April holds one of the most solemn yet joyous traditions: Semana Santa, which translates to Holy Week. This entire week before Easter Sunday is about Jesus, how he suffered, those who mourned for him, our sins and his triumphant resurrection. During Semana Santa, I traveled to multiple cities to see the different celebrations and traditions. I got to witness very moving moments, from people packing the streets just trying to get a view of the processions, families in tears as they watched loved ones participate and so many powerful prayers and songs.

The main part of the celebration is the processions (parades). Both men and women carry what is called a paso during these processions. These religious floats depict scenes of the life of Jesus and can weigh between 2,000 and 11,000 pounds. It is indescribable how intense yet beautiful it is to see the groups of people carry the pasos, which is an honor for them to sweat, bleed and cry out during a walk that can last up to eight hours. It is an honor because it is only a fragment of what Jesus did for them on the cross.

Additionally, the attire worn by the participants is very important, and for an American, it can be a big culture shock. The Nazarenos, who are part of the brotherhoods, wear robes and pointed hats, which date back to the 15th century. Each brotherhood is differentiated by its specific symbols and colors. These men lead the pasos, often carrying candles, and are there as a symbol of religious penance to absolve them of their sins. The women who follow the pasos are always stunning, they walk to represent the mourners wearing all black and special lace veils and usually high-heeled shoes. The children on the side watching the pasos usually join in as well, creating balls of wax as the Nazareno’s dump the melted wax from their candles during their long journey.

One thing I was not prepared for was how long these processions last; it truly is a week-long holiday, as many processions begin in the mornings and do not end until 2 a.m. the next day or later. One of my absolute favorite pasos was right here in my Spanish hometown of Alicante. We have a famous set of stairs, nearly 100 steep stairs, that lead to the Castle of Santa Barbara, and on one day, pasos are lifted down these stairs to the main cathedral and then carried back up to be placed in a church until next year. I cannot even describe the emotion as men tumbled down the stairs, readjusted as the pasos tilted over, and family members took each other’s spots carrying the paso. It was incredible. I am so grateful to have been in Spain during one of their most important and deep-rooted cultural traditions. No matter what town I was in or who I was with, I was constantly left emotional and without words from these beautiful acts honoring our Savior.

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: ALI Abroad: University of Alicante