Holy Week

Palm Sunday





On Palm Sunday one must buy their own palms here in Bolivia. In front of every church, vendors sell palms in all different forms. I like the ones in the form of a cross. These would cost about 15 - 30 cents, people do not charge much for their artistic labor.



We had an early procession on Saturday evening because the city closed down Sunday to only pedestrian traffic. We processed from the local Franciscan church of El Hospicio to the Cathedral where the above and below pictures were taken in a crowded standing room only mass with the Archbishop. As you can see from my photos my floorspot did not include a view of the archbishop.






The next morning, I joined the Palm Sunday procession all over again, with the parish of El Hospicio. We gathered near La Plaza de Las Banderas, (the plaza of flags) for a service and slow procession back to church to attend mass. Above Father Martin ofm, the pastor blesses the palms of the people. You can note some other forms of the woven palms. We sang songs, and Fr Martin and a female church elder took turns reading scriptures, offering prayers and leading the songs.

Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday I again attended mass at the parish of El Hospicio. There was a reenactment of the Lord's Last Supper. As is traditional in many Catholic churches a priest of the parish washes the feet of 12 parishioners. Here it was 12 men and they played roles of the 12 apostles. The mass order was changed a little to accommodate the Gospel story. The hand shake of peace was earlier, and acting was put on hold to say the Eucharistic prayer. After communion, we returned to the story of Gethsemane, there was a processional around the church and all were invited to remain in prayer until midnight.

Some remained and others headed from the traditional visiting of other churches. I have heard it is traditional to visit 7 or 12 churches (or however many you would like). One must walk from church to church, which may sound difficult, but being in a city in a predominantly Catholic country, it is easier to do walking then driving, especially since all the roads are closed down in the center. My first year I could only find 6 churches, so I returned to the first and prayed longer, which was great because at that time of the night it was darker and quieter. Last year I went to the mass at San Carlos, which is a long walk to the other churches, and as I lived in the outskirts of the city, I didn't want to return home too late, so I only prayed at San Carlos.

This year I started out with 5 people then we added 3, but shortly after, by my fifth church we were down to three people. When Johnny finished his 7 he was ready to return home. Vania and I were on number 9, so we retraced a few steps, and continued on the journey. The last two churches I had seen but had never been in, the last was in the market place not far from San Carlos, and there were far less pilgrims in the street at that location and hour. I like that my final destination was quiet and reflective and we sat a while before heading out. Final photo 11:07 PM, mass started at 6, close to 8 we had started our pilgrimage.



I did take photos at each church, but I will just post these two.

Good Friday

The Parish of San Carlos



I have joined the Stations of the Cross procession with the parish of San Carlos, for three years now. Above Pilate (Roger with Manolo) offers Barabbas or Jesus to the people to choose one to release.




The Roman soldiers and the parishioners of San Carlos look on as Jesus falls the second. At each station the scene is acted out. A local theme is prayed for such as the children of the parish. Between each station, Fr Edwin ofm, and other leaders in the parish, lead singing and praying, aided by an amplified megaphone.



At each station a family sets up and altar, which you can see at the top edge of the photo. Altar "boys" and altar "girls" lead the procession, here they watch as the fifth Station was acted out. Teens from the after school programs and Confirmation classes take on various roles, as well as parish leaders.




The Pharisees and Sadduccees (Jhimmy, an after school teacher) join the procession as well as many wailing women, including Mary the mother of Christ.



A view from the back of the procession (quite a crowd), as we approach Cerro San Miguel for the final stations of the day. At the hilltop of Saint michael, Jesus was stripped, nailed to the cross, and put to death.

Easter Vigil

The Easter Vigil at the Parish of El Hospicio started outside in the Plaza Colon. The parish is situated on the southside of the plaza. The paschual candle is prepared and lit, and the parishioners solemnly process into the church pausing, in a call and response three times, to give thanks to God.




The flame is passed on to light our candles, which we kept lit for the litany of reading and prayers. We relit them for the renewal of our baptismal vows, later in the mass.








Dramatically after a burst of thunder the stone rolled away from the tomb. The curtains opened and revealed the Risen Christ, where normally the Crucified Christ resides.


¡Aleluya! He is Risen!