Buona Pasqua - Happy Easter

April 26, 2011

This past weekend has been filled with many traditions in Lanciano.  On Thursday evening, there was a holy procession through the town marking the night of Jesus’ Last Supper and his arrest by the authorities. This was a procession of men wearing black medieval hooded gowns carrying candles.  The penitent man in bare feet carried the cross recreating the passion of Christ. Along the route through the old section of town, the streetlights were turned off. Light was provided by oil lamps installed on the walls.

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday

Good Friday afternoon the school went on a hike near Bocca Di Valle.  Near the end of the walk after a long climb there was a beautiful waterfall.  We took Toby with us. He enjoyed running back and forth all the way and stopping to enjoy the spring water for a drink.  

Toby on the nature walk

Waterfall

In the evening there was a second procession.  This procession was a group of individuals dressed in black carrying a platform with Christ on it.

Good Friday

Good Friday

Saturday, Christine, George and I headed up to Prescara for the afternoon.  We sat in a local cafe by the beach and had a glass of wine, then moved to sit on the beach.  

Saturday at the beach

What we like to do best

Christine - what we like to do best

Easter Sunday was full of pagentry and joyous celebration.  In the main square there was a scene of the meeting of Mary, St. John and Christ.  Statues representing them were carried to the piazza and during the procession Mary learned of Her Son's Resurrection. 

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday - carrying Mary

We had an Easter dinner at the school. The owner of the school asked some of us to make desserts.  So I made pavlova to take along.  One of the main traditional desserts is a cake called Colomba cake which is shaped like a dove representing a symbol of peace.