The Latin Traditions That Are Celebrated At Easter

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

In addition to Christmas, Easter is perhaps one of the most anticipated religious traditions in the entire world, especially among the Latino community, due to its deep-rooted Christian beliefs that are often passed down from generation to generation.

Of course, Easter has countless traditions and celebrations that start with Palm Sunday and end on Easter or Easter Sunday.

Take a look at this list that will help you understand some of the most recognized rituals that take place during this time and the religious meaning that exists behind them.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and this symbolizes the arrival of Jesus in the city of Jerusalem. The people of Jerusalem are said to have received the Son of God with palms in their hands, hence the tradition that parishioners attend Mass this day with a palm leaf. These are then collected to be burned and their residues are used during Ash Wednesday of the following year.

Getty Images

Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday is one of the most special moments for Christians within the rituals of Holy Week, since this day marks the beginning of the so-called Passion of Christ after the Last Supper.

Part of the Maundy Thursday traditions include the Footwash, which remembers Jesus washing the feet of his 12 disciples during the Last Supper. Another of the rituals that is also very popular in Latin America is the so-called Visit of the seven houses, which consists of visiting the monuments of seven different churches and which have been created for the commemoration of Holy Week.

Getty Images

Holy Friday

This is the day that the death of Jesus is commemorated after being crucified. In multiple parts of the world, processions are held in which the 14 Stations of the Cross are revived. During the Eucharistic celebrations on this day, the traditional "Sermon of the seven words" is heard, which, as indicated, is based on the last 7 phrases that Jesus said before dying on the cross.

Part of the Christian traditions adopted for this day include fasting, silence and rest as a symbol of respect before the death of the Son of God. Symbolic burning of dolls representing Judas is also carried out in some places.

Getty Images

Holy Saturday

It is a day of mourning and shelter, that is why during this day masses are not held in churches despite the fact that they are open to parishioners. In some places, it has become a tradition to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus with Eucharistic celebrations performed at midnight on Holy Saturday.

Getty Images

Easter Sunday or Easter Sunday

After the days of mourning that are kept after the death of Jesus, Easter Sunday is a day of celebration and rejoicing for Christians. During the mass on this day, it is tradition that the priest lights the so-called Paschal candle, which symbolizes the flame of the life and resurrection of Jesus.

In some places, all the parishioners attend mass with their own paschal candle and after the priest lights the church candle, this same flame is shared among all the assistants to light each of the candles.