Semana Santa

Holy Week

What do we really celebrate? Why do we even celebrate?

It is soon “Semana Santa” or Easter! They way Americans and Latin Americans celebrate Senama Santa is not the same. Most countries in Central and South America are Catholic countries. People from there take Semana Santa very seriously!

The Easter Bunny is something very American. For Hispanics, Easter is more about Easter Eggs Recent years, Hispanics have started to become familiar with the idea of Easter Bunnies and Eggs since its market had grown internationally. Many of you might wonder the relationship between Lent and Easter. Lent is composed of fourty days, starting Miercoles de Ceniza (Ash Wednesday) to Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday). Semana Santa or Holy Week starts with Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) and ends on Domingo de Pascua (Easter).

Since most Hispanic countries are Catholic, they understand the “real” reason of celebrating or commemorating God. Semana Santa for us (Hispanics) is to commemorate the death, sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Semana Santa means Holy Week. Everything starts on Sunday, Domingo de Ramos or Palm Sunday in English. According to the Bible, Jesus arrived to Jerusalem on a donkey. The villages welcomed Him and His disciples with palms.

On Thursday, it is Jueves Santo or Holy Thursday in English. According to the Bible, that is the day when Jesus had his last supper. The day after is Viernes Santo or Good Friday in English. According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified this day. On Sunday, it is Domingo de Resureccion or Easter Sunday in English. According to the Bible, it is the day when Jesus resurrected.

Now that we know the story behind Semana Santa, let’s see what do Catholics in Panama do. 

Domingo de Ramos

In Panama, the people along with the Archbishop gather palm leaves to celebrate this day. They raise the palm leaves and act as they are welcoming Jesus.  

Panama

Panama

Jueves Santo

This is the day when people start to kind of really celebrate Easter. Usually, most school, unless is a religious school (different than Catholics or Christian), don't have class starting on Thursday. This is a day which the Panamanians don’t work and spend time with God. This is the day where you attend Mass.

Panama

La Ultima Cena

Viernes Santo

A lot of true Catholic believers spend this day remembering Jesus Christ by going to church to pray. Some of them participate in the “Liturgia de Adoracion a la Cruz” by reacting the crucification of Jesus Christ. 

Panama

Peru

Doming de Resureccion

It is the last day of Semana Santa (Holy Week). Easter Egg is not a marketing idea, it is actually part of the tradition to exchange Huevos de Pascua de chocolate (Chocolate Eggs).

Peru

Now that you know the story behind Easter and Easter Eggs, are you excited to celebrate it?

If you are not religious, you can just do the Easter Egg part. It is very easy to get Easter Eggs anywhere. If you want to make it more fun, try the plastic eggs where you can fill it in with whatever you want. You can always get party supplies at Party City. A really fun thing to do would be painting eggs with your friends and family and then give it to each other. Remember, it is always fun to celebrate! 

Here is a video (in Spanish) with easy ways to paint a Easter Egg!

Recently, I just realized that there are not Kinder Surprise in America! In case you wonder what it is, here is a video of someone opening some Kinder Eggs! Although he got an adult voice, he sounds pretty innocent and baby! 

La Semana Santa es la manifestación de Dios de que la vida es esencialmente espiritual y eterna. 

-Charles M. Crowe