Semana Santa de Paradela - Meis
Holy Week in Paradela has a liturgical and secular character at the same time, as it combines religion and the deep feelings of the faithful with theatre performances. The tradition has been held for over two centuries, and it finally became official in 1993 under the name Cofradía de Semana Santa y Pascua de Santa María de Paradela. It has grown in popularity with time and is now one of the most well-known and prestigious traditional festivals of the region of O Salnés. More than a hundred people organise the different events that take place during the festivities, most of them members of the festival confraternity. The theatre performances take place outdoors and are very well staged.
Features
Trivia Starting from Palm Sunday, there are scenes from the Passion of Christ, the Last Supper, the Arrest of Jesus, the Denial of Saint Peter, the Trial of Jesus, the Via Crucis, the Descent from the Cross and the Resurrection Sunday, in which young children are the focus of the performance.All actors participating in the performance are from the area and their hard work makes it a magical moment that transports visitors to where Jesus was tried and executed, all thanks to the costumes, dialogue and staging set in the Roman period.
Origin and history The exact date the festival started to be celebrated in this unique way is unknown. People were not satisfied with hearing about what was read from the Sacred Scriptures, they wanted to represent it. Their objective was twofold: annually reviving the Passion of Jesus and bringing a larger congregation to see the performances with their own eyes.
The tradition dates from the 18th century, as there is evidence of a statue of Christ which is thought to have been acquired for the event. At first only the Descent from the Cross was performed, which was very popular and took place inside the parish church. Actors followed the words of the priest as he read the Passion of Jesus and the tradition has been passed from fathers to their children since then.
Responsible body Confraternity Cofradía de Semana Santa y Pascua in Santa María de Paradela
Itineraries and main events during its celebration Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphant arrival of Jesus on a donkey, the blessing of palm branches and a procession from Outeiro to the parish church of Paradela.
On Maundy Thursday, after the liturgy in the parish church there are performances of the Last Supper, the Washing of the Feet, the Arrest of Jesus and the Trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate and Herod.
On Good Friday it continues with the Flagellation and the Via Crucis to the hill of A Croa, followed by the Descent from the Cross and a procession to the parish church of Santa María de Paradela in the afternoon.
Holy Saturday is when the Resurrection Mass takes place in the church and fire and water are blessed.
On Resurrection Sunday there is a performance of the resurrection of Jesus in the atrium of the church, with the participation of children as the angels.
- Descripción del entorno: Rural
- Declaration of tourist interest: Galician
Date of event
- Date of: 14/04/2019
- To: 21/04/2019
Access
- Accesos a pie: Sí
- Accesos para vehículos privados: Sí