Semana Santa in Ajijic, Lake Chapala (Easter Week)
Listings may vary depending on unforeseen delays and should be considered approximate. If you are going to observe any or all of the “Passion Play” in Ajijic wear light weight clothing and something to protect your hear from the sun. Also good walking shoes are important for the rough terrain.
A note to motorists: there will be congestion while the events are in progress and you might want to be a little more patient than usual.
Thursday, April 21st at 7:00 pm is a Celebration of Mass with representation of the Washing of the Apostle’s Feet and Last Supper, San Andres Parish. 9:00 pm is a Dramatization of th Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal of Judas and arrest of Jesus, staged on the hillside at the north end of Calle Encarnacian Rosas. Jesus is led away in a torchlight march to the plaza via Encarnacian Rosas and Guadalupe Victoria. 10:00 pm is a Dramatization of Judgment of the Sanhedrin, presented on the north side of the plaza.
Friday, April 22nd at 11:00 am is a Dramatization of Jesus on trial before Pilate and Herod, staged in the San Andres atrium. Noon is a Reenactment of the Via Crucis, starting from the San Andres Parish, following route via calles Parroquia (Hidalgo), Colon, Emiliano Zapata, Encarnacion Rosas to the hillside scene of the Crucifixion. Christ’s body is lowered from the Cross, carried away by the same route for the burial scene inside San Andres Paris. 8:00 pm Lecture of the Passion of Christ and Rosary of Condolences devotions at San Andres, followed by the Marchs de Silencio along the main thoroughfares.
Saturday, April 23rd at 8:00 pm Easter Vigil Mass at San Andres, with representation of the Resurrection. 11:00 pm Burning of Judas figures at the plaza.
Similar activities for Chapala and San Antonio Tlayacapan are listed on Page 27 in this week’s Guadalajara Reporter. Easter Sunday and Good Friday church services are also listed in that newspaper. There is also a Sunrise Service at 7:00 am at the Hole-in-One Restaurant on the carretera in San Antonio Tlayacapan followed by a free breakfast.
The Passion Play is very well presented and is a must see for all newcomers and residents alike. Whether or not you are Catholic you cannot help but be moved by this dramatic visual depiction. Feliz Pascua a todos!