In Bonifacio, a Settimana Santa is punctuated by liturgical celebrations and processions that are often spectacular, allowing the locals to express a faith that is the heir to over nine centuries of tradition.
Every year, Bonifacia's five brotherhoods - Sainte-Croix, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Saint-Barthélemy, Sainte-Marie-Madeleine and Saint-Érasme - spend several weeks preparing to celebrate the Passion of Christ.
Right up until the Easter vigil, the processions of brotherhoods begin their Way of the Cross, with passion and fervour.
On Maundy Thursday, the five brotherhoods meet in the Church of Sainte Marie Majeure for the Office of Darkness, with the tradition of the "matzuchi", long palms struck on the ground by the congregation to evoke the noise of thunder. The symbolism is reminiscent of the earthquakes that are said to have accompanied Christ's death.
On Thursday and Friday evenings, the 4 confraternities of the Upper Town begin the processions of the "small caskets" and "large caskets", starting from their church and following the cross-bearer to the haunting rhythm of the saints' litanies and the light of the cartatorci (torches). Please note that Saint Erasmus does not take part in the evening procession.
On Good Friday, from 8am, the songs resound once again during the circular processions of the 5 brotherhoods led by the hooded cross-bearers. The route of these processions is codified, punctuated by times of prayer in the tombs of the churches of the Upper Town and the Marine.
The Easter celebrations are a real moment of communion between the generations, with young people repeating the gestures they have learnt from their elders. The brotherhoods are the guardians of Bonifacian traditions.
The programme for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday is still to come...
Stay tuned for details of these unique events!
Every year, Bonifacia's five brotherhoods - Sainte-Croix, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Saint-Barthélemy, Sainte-Marie-Madeleine and Saint-Érasme - spend several weeks preparing to celebrate the Passion of Christ.
Right up until the Easter vigil, the processions of brotherhoods begin their Way of the Cross, with passion and fervour.
On Maundy Thursday, the five brotherhoods meet in the Church of Sainte Marie Majeure for the Office of Darkness, with the tradition of the "matzuchi", long palms struck on the ground by the congregation to evoke the noise of thunder. The symbolism is reminiscent of the earthquakes that are said to have accompanied Christ's death.
On Thursday and Friday evenings, the 4 confraternities of the Upper Town begin the processions of the "small caskets" and "large caskets", starting from their church and following the cross-bearer to the haunting rhythm of the saints' litanies and the light of the cartatorci (torches). Please note that Saint Erasmus does not take part in the evening procession.
On Good Friday, from 8am, the songs resound once again during the circular processions of the 5 brotherhoods led by the hooded cross-bearers. The route of these processions is codified, punctuated by times of prayer in the tombs of the churches of the Upper Town and the Marine.
The Easter celebrations are a real moment of communion between the generations, with young people repeating the gestures they have learnt from their elders. The brotherhoods are the guardians of Bonifacian traditions.
The programme for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday is still to come...
Stay tuned for details of these unique events!