Do you want to learn more about the traditions of Easter in Mexico? Are you curious about what happens the week after Easter Sunday? If so, then this blog post is for you! We’ll explore what the week after Easter Sunday is called in Mexico and some of the activities that people participate in.
Introduction to Easter in Mexico
Easter in Mexico is a two-week holiday consisting of Semana Santa (The Holy Week, beginning on Palm Sunday and ending Easter Saturday) and the following week, Semana de Pascua (Easter Week). Mexicans celebrate Easter with great passion, and it is the second most widely celebrated holiday in the country.
During Semana Santa, there are a variety of activities including dramatic performances of the crucifixion of Jesus, Mass on Good Friday and on Easter Sunday, as well as the Burning of Judas on Holy Saturday. In 2023 Easter Sunday will be April 9.
Semana Santa: The Holy Week
Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is an important part of the Easter celebrations in Mexico. This holy week begins on Palm Sunday and ends on the Saturday before Easter Sunday. During this time, Catholics in Mexico take time to reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The week-long celebration includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
On Holy Saturday, many celebrate the Burning of Judas ceremony, where an effigy of Judas Iscariot is burned in the streets. On Easter Sunday, people attend a Mass to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Semana Santa is the second most widely celebrated holiday in Mexico and is an important part of their Easter tradition.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday, or Jueves Santo, is a day of great significance during Semana Santa in Mexico. It is on this day that the washing of the apostles’ feet is commemorated, as well as the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist.
The day is marked by solemn religious services in churches throughout Mexico and is an opportunity for Mexicans to reflect on Jesus’ last moments and his sacrifice. Many churches will also stage re-enactments of Last Supper, adding a personal touch to this day of remembrance.
Good Friday
Good Friday, also known as Viernes Santo in Mexico, marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum and is the day when Catholics commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross. This solemn day is filled with religious processions, services, and other activities that pay homage to Jesus’ suffering. In Oaxaca City, it is also celebrated as Viernes de Dolores (Friday of Sorrows), a day of great devotion for its inhabitants. On this day, devotees take part in colorful processions and re-enactments of Jesus’ Passion and Death. Although Good Friday is a somber holiday, it serves to remind believers of the ultimate hope of resurrection.
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday, also known as Sábado Santo, marks the end of Semana Santa (The Holy Week) in Mexico prior to Easter Sunday. It is a day of solemn vigils held in churches throughout the country and is especially marked by the Burning of Judas in the center and south of Mexico. This ancient tradition involves burning effigies of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus Christ according to the Bible. The day is also traditionally celebrated with Mass, usually at dawn on Easter Sunday.
Celebrations such as these, combined with festive decorations and activities, make Semana Santa one of the most widely celebrated holidays in Mexico after Christmas.
Easter Sunday: Domingo de Resurrección
Easter Sunday, or Domingo de Resurrección, marks the day of Jesus’ resurrection in Mexico and is celebrated with Mass and joyous songs. This special Sunday follows the week of Semana Santa, where people remember and celebrate Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. A particularly important practice on this day is the Burning of Judas, which takes place especially in the south and center of Mexico.
This marks the climax of Easter Week (Semana de Pascua) as it symbolizes triumph over evil. Mexicans also celebrate with Masses, where they remember Jesus’ resurrection and give thanks for his sacrifice. All this culminates in a two-week holiday of joyous celebrations, making it the second most widely celebrated holiday in Mexico.
Easter Week: Semana de Pascua
Easter Week is a time of celebration and feasting in Mexico, as families and friends come together to enjoy the festivities. On Easter Sunday, Domingo de Resurrección, people celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with a special Mass. During the Easter week festivities, people also participate in the Burning of Judas which is an important tradition especially in the centre and south of the country.
Furthermore, during this week many people will also take advantage of their vacation to travel and enjoy the festivities all around Mexico. All in all, Easter Week is a special time for family and friends to come together and celebrate this important event with joy, love and unity.
The Burning of Judas
The Burning of Judas is an Easter-time ritual held by Orthodox and Catholic communities. It is held in commemoration of Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus. Effigies of Judas Iscariot are burned, hanged, flogged or exploded with fireworks in the streets. This ritual is a powerful reminder of the importance of Good Friday, which commemorates Jesus’ death on the cross.
People take part in this ritual as a way of showing their devotion to Christ and His teachings. It serves as a reminder that despite all of our flaws, we can still be redeemed if we accept His grace. This ritual has been practiced for centuries in Mexico and continues to be celebrated with enthusiasm each year.
Mass Celebrations
On Easter Sunday, the highlight of Semana Santa in Mexico, churches are filled with celebrants and joyful worshippers attending mass. The streets also come alive with vendors selling food, toys, and other items to mark the occasion. As part of the celebration, many families will attend mass together, often dressed in their traditional clothing.
The service is a time to reflect on Jesus’ resurrection and celebrate the joy of Easter. At the end of the service, many families will exchange chocolate eggs and other treats as a sign of their faith in Jesus’ resurrection and as a reminder to continue celebrating his love throughout the year.
Semana Santa in Mexico: The Second Most Widely Celebrated Holiday
Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is the second most widely celebrated holiday in Mexico. Taking place the week before Easter, Semana Santa involves week-long religious events and celebrations. It is marked by special Masses on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, as well as the Burning of Judas on Holy Saturday.
On Easter Sunday, a Mass is celebrated to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While it is celebrated differently throughout the country, Semana Santa is a time for many Mexicans to come together to celebrate their faith. The holiday is a truly special and meaningful time for many people in Mexico, and it’s no surprise that it has become one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the country.
