Catholicism at Crossroads: Reactions to Evangelism in Guatemala

A Guatemalan Woman Crafting Palm Bouquets

Today marks the first day of the holy week and Semana Santa processionals in Guatemala. Palm Sunday is a celebration of Jesus’s entry into Bethlehem. The townspeople of Bethlehem welcomed Jesus (this was before they decided to condemn him) with palm fronds and bouquets, and the tradition of giving out palms, usually folded into crosses, still exists today.

In Guatemala, floats called “andas’ are carried by processional marchers in purple robes. The float for Palm Sunday is called “Jesus de Consuelo [Comfort].” Holy week celebrations will continue and culminate on Easter Sunday. I will try to post more pictures from this year’s celebration as they come up.

Palm Sunday Processional in Antigua

Source: http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/travel/articles/festival-in-antigua-guatemala-semana-santa.shtml

Pictures: http://antiguadailyphoto.com/

~ by Jenny X on April 17, 2011. Tagged: Holy Week, Palm Sunday, processions, Semana Santa