Whether you are religious or not, there are few more interesting spectacles than the faithful following in processions behind images and statues of the foci of their devotions, infused with deep heartfelt sentiments and strongly held traditions, among the faithful you can expect weeping in the streets, wailing, fragrant incense and men in various colours of hoods and robes, among many other strange sights at this time of year on Gran Canaria.
Semana Santa, Holy Week, on Gran Canaria includes a very important set festivities, around which many events are planned and depend. All around the island, particularly the larger towns and churches, there will be processions where icons and statues are carried through the streets. The biggest and most popular ones take place in the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, as well as other religious sites such as Teror and Agüimes.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Our capital city, here on the eastern islands, is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria where some of the biggest holiday celebrations of the annual calendar occur this week, with many events celebrated with vigour in intense and devout displays of faith, humility and sorrow. Welcome to Semana Santa, Holy Week.
Many processions run through the historic centre of the capital (as well as several in many of the older towns and villages around the island) and are often heavily loaded with symbolism and historic traditions, but still manage to maintain their own unique aesthetic and identity, followed by large audiences, as we move through the week.
The passage of revered iconographic images and statues, through the unique colonial old quarter of the capital, Vegueta, offers some unforgettable experiences during the Easter holidays.
From April 10 to 17, the capital of Gran Canaria will, after two years of restrictions, resume the pulse of Holy Week, one of its most unique cultural celebrations, with great historical and cultural importance. Dioceses and brotherhoods promote an intense agenda of processions, which for the most part run through the founding neighbourhood of Vegueta, its parishes and the Cathedral, located in the Plaza de Santa Ana.
On Palm Sunday, the procession of the Burrita takes place, following a route through the streets of Triana, the original merchant quarter, and begins in the Park of San Telmo, where the first port of Las Palmas was founded, in a hermitage long associated with the seafarers and sailors who helped build the city from the end of the 15th century. San Telmo is guardian to some of the most outstanding, and understated, artistic heritage in the city. On the same day, the procession of the Nazarenos de Vegueta begins in the afternoon with the costaleros starting out from the beautiful old church of Santo Domingo, one of the most charming corners of the the oldest neighbourhoods of the capital.
Other essential processions include the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Los Dolores de Triana, on Tuesday, and the Santo Encuentro, on Wednesday evening, in which the processions of three parishes converge at the door of the city cathedral. On Good Friday, one of the most unique gatherings takes place, the procession of Las Mantillas, from the Santa Ana Cathedral, displaying two of the most important works by revered Canarian sculptor Luján Pérez, and in the afternoon, the Magna Procession which unites all the parishes.
Sunday 10 April, Palm Sunday
“LA BURRITA” PROCESSION” Palm Sunday, this first weekend commemorates the triumphant entrance of christianity’s central character into Jerusalem on a donkey. The morning procession from Parroquia de San Bernardo, the Ermita de San Telmo, includes an image of the fabled messiah on a donkey, followed by children carrying palms and olive branches.
This procession travels some of the oldest roads in the capital including the streets: San Telmo, Mayor de Triana, Perdomo, Pérez Galdós, Buenos Aires, Parque San Telmo.
“SALUD Y ESPERANZA” PROCESSION, NAZARENOS DE VEGUETA
That same evening at 19:00, a hooded “Health and Hope” procession (Cristo de la Salud y La Virgen de la Esperanza de Vegueta) follows with the penitential procession of the Brotherhood and Guild of Nazarenes from the Parish of Santo Domingo de Guzmán in the evening. This procession, in Andalusian style carrying two idols, includes over a hundred members of the order wearing tunics and robes with hoods
An historic route around some of the most important places in the capital: Plaza de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, García Tello, San Marcos, Fernando Galván, Reyes Católicos, Dr. Chil, Reloj, Obispo Codina, Catedral (penance place ), Obispo Codina, Callejón de San Marcial, Plazoleta de los Álamos, Plaza del Pilar Nuevo, Felipe Massieu Falcón, Espíritu Santo, Reloj, Doctor Chil, Doctor Verneau, San Marcos, García Tello, Plaza de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Tuesday 12 April, Martes Santo
“LOS DOLORES DE TRIANA” PROCESSION
The Los Dolores de Triana procession of the Brotherhood and Guild of Our Lady of Sorrows from the Parish of San Bernardo and San Telmo starts at 19:30 and returns to the church around 22:30. This procession, popularly known as the “Brotherhood of Sorrows of Triana”, is sober and austere in style, as the faithful accompany La Dolorosa (“the pained one”) walking behind her son, so full of anguish, and bitterness, that her face is revered for having the serene beauty of an afflicted mother, with her hands outstretched in a plea for his sacrificed life. Men in black and women in black wearing Canarian “mantillas” participate in this procession.
Route : Parroquia en el Parque de San Telmo, Mayor de Triana, Travieso, General Bravo, Pérez Galdós, ( Penitential Station in the Sanctuary of San Antonio de Padua ) , Pérez Galdós, Perdomo, Mayor de Triana – Parque de San Telmo
Wednesday 13 April, Miercoles Santo
“SANTO ENCUENTRO DE CRISTO” PROCESSION
Starts at 20:00 at arrives back to the Parroquia de Santo Domingo at 23:00.
This procession has stages throughout strategic points around the historic old quarter district of Vegueta; the meeting of the Holy Women and St. John with the christ on his way to Golgotha (Calvary), where the holy crucifixion is supposed to have taken place. The first stop is at the Temple exit, with the holy man carrying a cross on his back and meeting Simon the “Cyrenian” on the way towards Plaza de Santa Ana.
At the second station, San Juan and La Magdalena, go in search of the messiah, finding him in the Plaza del Espíritu Santo. After the second station, they visit La Verónica and Our Lady of Sorrows of Vegueta, and together they march in search of the man Jesus.
Once found by St. John and Mary Magdalena, they go to give the news to the Virgin Mary, who they find at the gates of the Casa de Colón. Along the way St. John, Mary Magdalena and La Dolorosa all meet Jesus again, this holy meeting takes place in the Plaza de Santa Ana. Veronica wipes the Face of Jesus, unfolding the Holy Face Cloth. Later they offer Penance in the Cathedral – Basilica de Santa Ana.
Good places to watch from are the Plaza De Santa Ana and Plaza de Santa Domingo where the procession starts and travels along calles (streets) Obispo Codina, Espíritu Santo, Reyes Católicos, Dr. Chil, Dr. Vernay, San Marcos, Garcia Tello and Plaza de Santo Domino
Thursday 14 April, Holy Thursday
“VIACRUCIS DEL SILENCIO” PROCESSION
Leaving at midnight to arrive at the Hermitage for around 02.30. The Via Crucis in silence accompanys the image of the “Holy Christ of the Good End”, first brought out into the streets in 1941, from dawn on Holy Thursday until Good Friday morning.
Before leaving the hermitage the Miserere is sung.
A bell marks each of the stops and then restarts of the procession. Celebrating the Stations of the Cross in places where wooden crucifixes have been hung from various old mansions in Vegueta to mark the end of Lent, the season of abstinence. Expect men in hoods with incense and smoke, lanterns and tall staffs
Route: Plaza del Espíritu Santo, Castillo, Doctor Chil, Plaza de San Agustín, Procurador Luis Mesa Suárez, San Agustín, Espíritu Santo, Reloj, Obispo Codina, lateral de la Plaza de Santa Ana, Castillo, Plaza del Espíritu Santo
Friday 15 April, Good Friday
”LAS MANTILLAS” PROCESSION
Faithful women dressed in traditional White Canarian scarves, “The Sorrowful” follow the path of the pain of a Mother behind her crucified son. The cortege prays with the Holy Rosary and upon arrival at the Plaza, and before entering the Temple, the Bishop imparts a Blessing from the Balcony of the Episcopal Palace. From the entrance to the Cathedral, to the sound of Chopin’s Funeral March, the Sermon of Seven Words is celebrated.
Leaving at 11:00 and arriving back at 12:30. Route : Obispo Codina, Espíritu Santo, Reyes Católicos, Doctor Chil, Plaza del Espíritu Santo, Castillo, Plaza de Santa Ana, Obispo Codina to the Cathedral.
Magna procession Inter-parish of Vegueta
The Virgen de los Dolores crosses the Guiniguada ravine (on the banks of which the old town was founded) as part of the Magna on Good Friday
The parishes of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, San Agustín and San Francisco take their religious icons out to the streets and join in stages to form the Magna Procession.From the Parish of Santa Domingo leaving at 18:30 and returning to the temple at 22:00.
From the parish of San Agustín, leaving at 18:45 and returning to the temple at 21:30
From the parish of San Francisco leaving at 19:00 and returning to the temple at 22:00
‘Retiro de Triana‘ procession
From the parish San Francisco de Asis leaving at 22:30 and returning at 23:30
‘Retiro de Vegueta‘ procession
leaving from the church Santa Domingo de Guzmán at 22:30 and returning at 23:30
Sunday 17 April, Domingo de Resurrección
A premiere act of the procession ‘del Resucitado‘ on Easter Sunday morning at 11:30, which departs from the large parish church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán.
Teror
Processions during Holy Week in the municipality of Teror
Sunday 10 April, Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) at 11:45
Tuesday 12 April, Martes Santo at 20:00
Wednesday 13 April, Miercoles Santo at 20:00
Thursday 14 April Jueves Santo at 20:00 and at 22:00
Good Friday 15 April, Viernes Santo at 20:00 and 21:00
Agaete
Semana Santa in the municipality of Agaete 2022
Friday, 8 April
– Parish of Our Lady of the Conception
18:30 Pray the Rosary.
19:00 Eucharist
19:30 Via Crucis. Adoration of the Cross
Saturday, 9 April
-Hermitage Our Lady of the Miraculous El Risco 17:00: Blessing of the Palms. Eucharist and Via Crucis.
-Our Lady of the Conception Parish 19:30: Eucharist. At the end, Sacred Concert by the Guayedra Musical Group.
Palm Sunday, 10 April
-Hermitage of las Nieves 10:00, Blessing of the Palms and Eucharist.
-Parish of Our Lady of the Conception at 12:00. Blessing of the Palms. Procession and Eucharist with the Lord on the Donkey.
-Paris of San Pedro Apóstol. Agaete Valley at 19:00. Blessing of the Palms in the Neighborhood in Front and procession with the Lord on the Donkey towards the parish and Eucharist.
Holy Monday, 11 April
-Parish of San Pedro Apóstol. Agaete Valley
18:30 Penitential Rosary. 19:00 Eucharist. 19:30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 20.00 Confessions.
Holy Tuesday, 12 April
-Parish of San Pedro Apóstol. Agaete Valley
19:30 Eucharist. 20:00 Procession of the Meeting.
Holy Wednesday, 13 April. Meeting with the Lord of the Passion
-Parish Our Lady of the Conception:
18.30 confessions and at 19.00 Eucharist and procession of the Encounter: Jesus carrying the Cross on his back. Virgin of Sorrows and Saint John. Fervorín in the meeting.
Holy Thursday, 14 April. Fraternal Love Day
-Parish of San Pedro Apóstol. Agaete Valley:
17:30 Eucharist of the Lord’s Supper and at 18:00 Eucharistic transfer to the Monument.
-Parish of Our Lady of the Conception
19:00 Eucharist of the Lord’s Supper. Eucharistic transfer to the monument.
20:00 Holy Hour and Procession of the Via Crucis.
Holy Friday, 15 April. contemplate the cross
-Parish of San Pedro Apóstol. Agaete Valley:
09:00 Via crucis celebration. Then, celebration of the Lord’s death.
-Parish Our Lady of the Conception:
18:00 Celebration of the Passion and death of the Lord. Sign of the Crown of Thorns. Magna procession.
22:00 Holy Burial and Procession of Solitude.
Holy Saturday, 16 April. The resurrection
-Parish of San Pedro Apóstol. Agaete Valley:
18:00 Solemn Easter Vigil
-Our Lady of the Conception Parish:
19:30 Solemn Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday, 17 April
-Hermitage of Our Lady of the Snows: 10.00 Eucharist.
-Parish Our Lady of the Conception: 12.00 Eucharist.
Gáldar
Sunday 10 April
at 11:00 From Templo Matriz de Santiago, procession of the Jesus arriving to Jerusalem
Tuesday 12 April
at 19:00 Eucharist and at 20:00 procession of the Holy Christ tied to the Column, Ntra. Sra. de la Soledad y San Juan Evangelista.
Wednesday 13 April
at 19:00 eucharist and at 20:00 Procession of the Holy Christ with the Cross on his back and when arriving at the front of the Casino, Santo Encuentro with San Juan, La Verónica and his Mother Ntra. Señora de los Dolores. Next, Sermon of the Encounter. Accompanied by the municipal band of Gáldar.
Thursday 14 April l
10:00 h. a 13:00 h. Habrá sacerdotes en el confesionario para quienes deseen recibir el sacramento del perdón.
17:30 h. Eucaristía de la Cena del Señor en la parroquia de Ntra. Sra. de Fátima de la Montaña y reserva del Santísimo en el monumento. A continuación, Hora Santa.
19:30 h. Eucaristía Solemne de la Cena del Señor, a continuación, procesión claustral del Santísimo bajo palio y reserva en el monumento.
23:00 h. Hora Santa
00:00 h. Viacrucis con el Santísimo Cristo de Indias.
Friday 15 April
at 19:00 Holy office of Passion and the Death of the Lord, followed by the Magna procession in the following order:
I Cruz Procesional de Santiago (siglo XVI gótico renacentista).
II Jesús Atado a la Columna (siglo XVII).
III Ntro. Padre Jesús Nazareno (Siglo XVII).
IV Banda de Música la Isleña.
V Ntra. Sra. de la Soledad (siglo XVII, procedente de la antigua Iglesia de San Antonio de la Vega).
VI Santísimo Cristo de Indias (siglo XIX).
VII “Santa Cruz”, con la “Magdalena” (siglo XVII), “San Juan Evangelista” (obra contemporánea) y las insignias de la Pasión.
VIII Santo Sepulcro (obra contemporánea).
IX Santísima Virgen de los Dolores (Luján Pérez, 1756–1815).
X Clero Parroquial.
XI Pendón de la Real Ciudad bajo Mazas.
XII Excma. Corporación Municipal.
XIII Banda de Música de Gáldar.
at 22:00 Sermon of Solitude and procession of the retreat of Our Lady of Sorrows accompanied by the municipal band of Gáldar.
Saturday 16 April
at 22:00 Easter Vigil of Resurrection, followed by procession of the Blessed Sacrament under a canopy and blessing.
Agüimes
