On the early morning of Good Friday, at four o’clock, at the entrance of the Sanctuary, the Christ of La Laguna is prepared to journey through the streets during the Penitential Procession. Following the proclamation of the First Word: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” the Sermon of the Seven Words continues. A formation of followers on both sides, resembling an army, accompanies Christ throughout the five-hour procession. Leading the way are Our Lady of Sorrows, Saint John the Evangelist, and Saint Mary Magdalene. As the Spanish national anthem plays, Christ enters the courtyard, and the moon, shining its brightest, illuminates the path, just as the poet once wrote: “On the night of Good Friday, the moon shines brighter to guide the Christ of La Laguna.”
After a pause at the entrance of the former nursing home (Hogar Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna) and the choir pays homage, the procession continues towards the first station of penitence, at the convent of Nuns Claras, where the Second Word is delivered: “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Upon the completion of the religious ceremony, the march proceeds to the city’s other convent, that of the Catalinas, where the Third Word is spoken: “Woman, there you have your son (Then he said to the disciple): There you have your son! your mother!”. At this very location, in Plaza de Abajo, for centuries the reenactment of Jesus’ encounter with Veronica and her mother took place, a ritual performed with articulated figures from the ancient church of San Agustín.
THE SILENCE IS INTERRUPTED BY THE SONG OF MALAGUEÑAS
The journey advances towards the former convent, now the parish of Santo Domingo, where the Fourth Word is proclaimed: “My God, my God! Why have you abandoned me?” Daybreak approaches. Christ proceeds along La Carrera street. Upon passing through Plaza del Adelantado, and from the town hall’s balcony, several male and female singers greet him with Malagueñas, attracting a moved crowd to witness these traditional Canarian songs. The procession then descends La Carrera Street. With dawn breaking, as the La Fe music band starts playing Goodbye to life (from the opera Tosca), Christ reaches the vicinity of the former school of the De la Salle Brothers.
The Fifth Word: “I thirst” is declared this year, 2024, at the portico of the chapel of the Servants of Mary, now in broad daylight. Christ and his entourage head towards the main parish of La Concepción, where the Sixth Word is expressed: “It is finished.” Accompanied by the faithful, the procession advances towards the cathedral along San Agustín Street. Notably, this year, the Sixth Word will not be spoken at the site of the ruins of the former Los Agustinos church, tragically destroyed in the fire of 1964.
THE BAND OF FAITH ANNOUNCES THE ARRIVAL OF CHRIST
By nine o’clock, Christ has entered the cathedral, a fact announced by the La Fe band with a rendition of the national anthem. Within the cathedral, the Seventh and final Word is enunciated: “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” The Christ of La Laguna will remain there until five in the afternoon, after which he will once again traverse the city streets with the Magna procession, a tradition ongoing since 1927.
On Good Friday, starting at eleven o’clock from the parish of Nuestra Señora de La Concepción, the Brotherhood of Lignum Crucis and La Piedad have been holding a procession since 1955 when it was established. This procession features the image of the Virgin cradling the lifeless body of Jesus after his descent from the cross. The sculptures, attributed to the sculptor Lázaro González Ocampo from Güímar, were donated in 1688 to the Brotherhood of Santísimo at the church of La Concepción by Bernardo Martín de Fleitas. Alongside these statues, the Brotherhood carries a relic of the Cross of Christ (Lignum Crucis) under a canopy, hence its name. The members of the Brotherhood are recognisable by their bare feet and chains.
Following this, the Magna procession, instituted in 1927 during the tenure of Bishop Brother Albino Menéndez Reigada, commences from the cathedral. It features twenty-four floats from various churches and convents of La Laguna, depicting chronologically the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, transforming the city into an outdoor museum of sacred art. This is an opportunity to admire the beauty and craftsmanship of the ancient sculptures created centuries ago by local and foreign artists, particularly those from the Andalusian region. Upon completion, each float, accompanied by its respective Brotherhood, returns to its original church through the historic streets of the city.
THE SILENT PROCESSION ACCOMPANIED BY THE CHIMING OF SILVER BELLS
At nightfall, with the streetlights dimmed along the route, the unusual Silent Procession departs, featuring all the city’s Brotherhoods. The Holy Burial sets off at 10:00 p.m. from the cathedral towards the church of Santo Domingo. The body of the Deceased Lord is carried on the shoulders of the Misericordia Brotherhood, in a silver urn embossed in 1732, crafted by the Lagunera School of Goldsmiths. The urn was donated by Amaro Pargo, who safeguarded it within an altar niche protected by glass and a key. He also sponsored the silk cloth and pillow used during Easter. In 1814, master silversmith Don José Calidonia provided the distinctive bells, the only ones ringing in the silence of the enchanting night of La Laguna, accompanied by the shuffling of the Brothers’ footsteps.
On Holy Saturday, from the parish of Santo Domingo, the image of Solitude is paraded, symbolising the pain and desolation felt by the Virgin after her son’s crucifixion, escorted by the venerable brotherhood of the Most Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Solitude, and the Most Holy Crucified Christ.
Concluding the liturgical events of Holy Week in La Laguna on Easter Sunday, the procession of the Resurrected Christ departs at 8:30 a.m. from the church of Santo Domingo, featuring the newly crafted image by the young artist from Punta del Hidalgo, Ibrahim Hernández. At noon, departing from the Cathedral, the procession of the Sacramented Jesus commences, presided over by the Bishop, and accompanied by the Cathedral Chapter, civic authorities, and representatives of the various Brotherhoods in the city.