Semana Santa Photos

Jesus

Prisoner

Hasn’t he suffered enough?

Barabas or Jesus?

Bearing the cross

Jesus being whipped

Robber

Robber being beaten

Robber

Pontius Pilot

Incense

Noise makers

Large crowds

An entrepeneur … selling fresh juice!

Photos taken Good Friday at the beginning of the Semana Santa procession in San Joaquín de Flores, Heredia.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

2009 San Joaquín de Flores Semana Santa (Easter) Procession Schedule

In addition to masses, communions and prayer services, the following processions will take place in San Joaquín de Flores, Heredia.

The church in Llorente de San Joaquín is located east of Intel on the road between Intel and Heredia. The central church is in San Joaquín proper – 2 blocks north of the main road between Alajuela and Heredia.

FRIDAY, April 10
9:00 am
Procession of the Stations of the Cross (Santo via Crucis) begins in the church in Llorente (Templo de Llorente) and proceeds to the central church (Templo Parroquial)
3:00 pm
The Passion of Christ (Celebración del Pasión del Señor) at the central church followed by a procession with the corpse of Christ (Procesión del Santo Entierro)

SATURDAY, April 11
7:00 pm
Vigil (Vigilia Pascual) followed by a bonfire (Fuego y del Cirio Pascual) at the central church

SUNDAY, April 12
3:00 pm
Communion (Eucaristía) followed by a procession of the risen Christ (Procesión del imagen del Resucitado) at the central church

Farmers Market

Beautiful flowers and the freshest produce available!

Expecting visitors from out of the country?  Treat them to some local “flavor” by taking them to one of Costa Rica’s weekly farmers markets.  These events provide an array of unusual fruits and vegetables, as well as a conglomeration of non-edible items.  Where else can you find fresh produce, cut flowers, bootleg DVDs, orchids, fresh juice, hot pejibaye, herbs and cellphone cases for sale under one roof?  In nearly every town, there is a farmers market.   Heredia’s market stretches for blocks every Saturday, beginning before daybreak.  The time I went to Alajuela’s market, there was live music and people were dancing.  San Rafael de Heredia has their market on Sunday morning.  (A friend bought rabbits there once!)  My hometown of San Joaquín de Flores recently started having a market on Friday … under roof, which is especially nice during the rainy season.  There’s plenty of parking, friendly vendors and granizados made with freshly cranked ice cream.  The only problem with the market is that it’s easy to buy too much!  For a real treat and some fresh, fresh produce at below grocery store prices, try your local farmers market.  (Photo taken at the market in San Joaquín de Flores.)

Semana Santa Resurrection re-enactment

Crowds gather early on the soccer field in front of the church to see the final re-enactment of Semana Santa, followed by a procession.

Semana Santa procession schedule in San Joaquín de Flores, Heredia

San Joaquín, located 4 km. west of Heredia, is well-known for its Easter Processions, particularly the one on Friday morning.  Local residents practice during the weeks beforehand and arrive costumed and in character for the processions.  (Several other communities have processionals and many of them are covered on TV.)

Maundy Thursday, March 20

7:30 PM  Procession commemorating Jesus’ capture in the Garden of Gethsemane beginning at the church in Llorente (south of the main road going through San Joaquin)

Good Friday, March 21

9:00 AM  Procession of the Twelve Stations of the Cross beginning at the church in Llorente and processing to the central church (2 blocks north of the main street going through town)

3:00 PM  Crucifixion re-enactment at the central church

Saturday, March 22

4:00 PM  Procession of silence at the central church

7:00 PM  Easter vigil and burning of Judas in effigy at the central church

Easter Sunday, March 23

3:00 PM  Communion and procession commemorating the resurrection at the central church

Note: Saturday evening, often referred to as Judas Night, is a time when some young people participate in vandalism and violence.  Police are aware of this and their presence is more evident on this evening.