The inaugural Magna Procession in La Laguna took place in 1927, followed by the Madrugada Procession in 1933, reaching its peak splendour during Holy Week in La Laguna, under the episcopacy of Bishop Fray Albino y Menéndez in Tenerife. Reigada (Asturias, 18th January 1881; Córdoba, 13th August 1958). This event is not only renowned as the oldest, but also serves as a grand open-air exhibition of sacred art as processions traverse the main streets of the historic centre. Each float symbolises Christian faith, showcasing authentic masterpieces of religious imagery from the city, alongside the exquisite craftsmanship of goldsmithing in La Laguna, which over the centuries has transformed this occasion into the foremost and most significant manifestation of the processional parades held during this time in the Canary Archipelago.
THE INAUGURAL LENTEN PROCESSIONS
On the fifth Sunday of Lent (Passion Sunday), the images of Cristo del Rescate and Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores parade through the main streets of El Paso, from the parish of La Concepcion, accompanied by their brotherhood. Later in the day, the Christ of Burgos procession takes place from the Cathedral, led by the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Ribbon and the Holy Christ of Burgos. The original image was lost in the fire of the church of San Agustín, and the current one is the creation of Ezequiel de León, an image maker from Orotava.
The subsequent float, representing Our Lady of Sorrows (Friday of Sorrows), is carried through the streets of La Laguna in a penitential procession, accompanied by the brotherhood of Rescate and Our Lady of Sorrows. Crafted by the Gran Canarian sculptor Luján Pérez, this image, known as La Predilecta, is renowned for its beauty and exceptional artistry.
COMMENCEMENT OF HOLY WEEK PROCESSIONS
On Palm Sunday, the traditional blessing of palms and olive branches takes place in La Laguna at various parishes. Each year, a procession led by the Diocesan Bishop is arranged from one of the convents to the Cathedral. The Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem procession sets off from the parish of Los Remedios (Cathedral), with the brotherhood established on 14th August 1961, on the initiative of Dr. Enrique González and his brother Álvaro. Boys and girls dressed in Hebrew attire accompany this procession. In the afternoon of the same day, from the parish of La Concepción, the procession of Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Sentencia and María Santísima de la Amargura takes place, accompanied by the Royal Brotherhood and the brotherhood of Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Sentencia and María Santísima de la Amargura, making a penitential stop at the Cathedral.
Additionally, on Palm Sunday, the Christ of the Falls, blessed on 25th July 1954 by Bishop Domingo Pérez Cáceres, is paraded from the parish of San Juan Bautista. This float was the first to carry out a penitential station from the former hermitage of San Juan, situated in the oldest neighbourhood of the city. It was also the inaugural float from a neighbourhood that is now an integral part of Holy Week in La Laguna. Initially, it was accompanied by the brotherhood of San Juan Bautista (established in 1767) until its own brotherhood was formed in 1955 by the Acuña Dorta family, as well as the residents of the neighbourhood, including Don Manuel Martín and his nephew Ventura, amongst others.
On Holy Monday, the Lord of the Garden procession departs from the Santa Clara monastery. The original images were lost in the fire of the San Miguel de las Victorias convent in 1810 (now the Sanctuary of Christ of La Laguna). The Venerable Third Franciscan Order and the Franciscan Brotherhood of Prayer in the Garden accompany this float. This year, 2024, it is departing from the Cathedral due to ongoing renovations at the convent which serves as its canonical headquarters. This float is joined by the Christ of Merciful Love, created by the sculptor Fernando Estévez from Orotava, who, along with his brotherhood, makes a penitential stop. From the Santa Catalina de Siena convent, the float of Soledad of the Most Holy Mary is also part of this procession, accompanied by the brotherhood of the Insignias of the Passion of the Lord.
On Holy Tuesday, the Tears of San Pedro (Fernando Estévez) and Our Lady of Sorrows images process from the parish of La Concepción, accompanied by the Rescate brotherhood. From the Cathedral, the Lord Tied to the Column, of Genoese origin dating back to 1756, is carried in procession, accompanied by the Christ of the Remedies and Our Lady of Sorrows, with the Royal, Very Illustrious and Capitular Brotherhood of the Flagellation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Christ of Remedies, and Our Lady of Sorrows.
Moving on to Holy Wednesday, Verónica and Santa Faz depart from the parish of San Benito Abad with their brotherhood. The images of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno and Nuestra Señora de la Soledad process from the Cathedral, accompanied by their brotherhood. Alongside the Passage of the Ecce Homo (known as the Lord of the Cañita), which was crafted by Ezequiel de León after the original image was lost in the fire of the church of San Agustín in 1964, are the Very Ancient and Venerable Brotherhood of the Blood of Christ and the Holy Cross, the oldest brotherhood in the city.
THE SOLEMNITIES OF HOLY THURSDAY
Holy Thursday stands out as a crucial day in Holy Week in La Laguna, with the celebration of the Eucharist (the Lord’s Supper) in different parishes and convents, followed by the procession and reservation of the Blessed Sacrament to the Monument. The city is distinguished by unique makeshift altars created using decorative elements, mainly silver and flowers, from each parish or convent. From the parish of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the Christ of Humility and Patience processes in union with the Penitents of Mercy brotherhood, accompanied by the image of Our Lady of Solitude and the Venerable Brotherhood of the Rosary, Our Lady of Solitude, and the Risen Christ.
At 8:00 p.m. from the Cathedral, the Holy Supper procession takes place, featuring the sculptural group created by the artist Orbarán in 1664 and renovated in the 18th century by the sculptor José Rodríguez de la Oliva. This group depicts the Last Supper and parades with the Holy One brotherhood. At the parish of San Lázaro, the procession of the Cristo del Calvario commences, featuring an image from 1670 sculpted by Francisco Alonso de la Raya from La Gomera. This Crucifix was rescued from the volcanic eruption that devastated Garachico in 1705. Fray José María Argibay, who had left the monastery, brought the statue to La Laguna in 1862 and placed it in the Calvary of San Lázaro.
This float is accompanied by the Venerable Sacramental Brotherhood of San Lázaro and Penitential Brotherhood of the Most Holy Christ of Calvary and Mary Most Holy of Sorrows, established on 7th October 1977 by a group of youngsters from the neighbourhood, alongside the canon of La Laguna, Don Pedro Juan Hernández García.
