Holy+Week

Holy Week Many countries around the world celebrate their values for their religion over a period of time; whether it be over a month, a week, or a day. In Paraguay, in the month of April, Paraguayans express their love for Jesus Christ through a holiday called the Holy Week. “For three days, starting with Holy Thursday,” boys of all ages travel through the streets of Paraguay, “singing mournfully” (King). Songs of religious significance are sung throughout the week. The songs heard usually discuss “the agony and death of Jesus Christ and can be heard for several kilometers” (King). As songs are being sung throughout Paraguay, thousands of candles are being lit in honor of Jesus Christ. At the previous year’s Holy Week, “some fifteen thousand homemade candles and lanterns illuminated the main Holy Week in Paraguay” (15,000). The men walking and singing through the thousands of candles are called “estacioneros.” The name “estacioneros” comes “from the Spanish meaning of ‘station of the cross’” (King). As the estacioneros make their way along the streets of Paraguay, they “pass the fourteen stations of the cross” that have been set up in the facade of people’s houses “with an altar, lit candles, and crucifix” (King). The “procession of men” halts at every house to pray and sing louder. Each set of estacioneros has their own personalized flag, name, and uniform (King). Although each group has personalized clothing, the traditional uniform consists of blue pants, white long-sleeved shirts, and “a white hat with a purple cross in honor of the virgin Mary” (King). Few of the singing men have enough money to buy this special attire and don’t make any money by being an estacionero. The estacioneros wouldn’t be able to make their way through the streets without their strong faith and a full stomach. The procession shows the end of Good Friday in Paraguay and also “attracts hundreds of visitors and tourists” (15,000). The walk is three kilometers long and leads to a local chapel. After this walk, a performance from a band, singers, and dancers show the mourning of Jesus Christ and then a ritual occurs. After the entertainment, Good Friday is celebrated with fasting; however, soon after, the Last Supper is marked “with a feast that typically consists of roasted meat and abundant quantities of chipa” (15,000). This unique and special Holy Week of Paraguay will continue to demonstrate their honor and respect for Christianity and awe future generations.

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