Processions are a significant part of the Filipino Catholic life, especially during the Holy Week.
Traditionally, processions during the Holy Week are held every Holy Wednesdays and Good Fridays.
On these days, Carozza owners and parishes work together to make the procession an organized and solemn event.
Many members of the community are owners and custodians of CAROS, holy images that will be displayed during the procession.
But do we know what images are brought displayed during these processions? Or what their significance are for the Holy Week?
Let us find out what these are about as we embark on the Lord’s sorrowful journey through lent.
Note that some images may not be present in some areas since images come with the approval of the church.
Mary, Mother of Jesus, the humble servant of God
The death of Jesus was one of the sources of Mary’s suffering in solitude. This sorrow was not anguished about herself and her pain but about Jesus.
This, like all her other virtues, Mary kept veiled also. She did not complain or recriminate. Instead, she accepted them all. That is how Mary embraced the will of God.
This adherence to God’s will – which Mary practiced after Jesus’ Ascension as well as during His crucifixion, along with her other nameless sufferings – is of note.
Apostles of Jesus and his followers
In a traditional procession, St. Peter is constant in the line-up of statues for being the pillar of the church.
Saint John the Evangelist, an apostle of Jesus and the author of three letters, the Fourth Gospel, and possibly the Revelation to John in the New Testament.
Three Marys carry three appointments during the burial of Christ
Mary Magdalene anoints the remains of Jesus with a perfume.
Maria Cleofas or Jacobe sweeps the sepulcher with a broom.
Maria Salome brings incense.
Santo Entierro
Santo Entierro, the dead body of Jesus laid out on a bier.
Mary, Mother of Jesus
Mater Dolorosa is one of the names attributed to Mary, mother of Jesus, representing her sorrow. Traditionally, it is the last image in the procession, following the Santo Entierro on Good Friday procession.
At these time when we can’t witness processions like we used to, let us just take time to reflect on the roles of these holy images in processions to fully understand the essence of the Holy Week. /bmjo