Buona Pasqua / Happy Paesach

April 8, 2012

Easter season especially in a small town like Lanciano is a very important.  In all of the churches, the alters are stripped in lieu of Easter related displays.

On Thursday evening there was a procession through the streets which is both medieval and sacred.  This procession marks 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. 

Thursday's procession

Thursday's procession

 These people are part of a fraternity that started about 400 years ago during the plaque.  Members of the fraternity took it upon themselves to gather the bodies of the dead and bury them.  The hoods were worn to protect the wearer from disease.

Good Friday evening there was a second procession marking the death of Jesus.  Again the procession led by chidren and including women who also wore black capes carrying candles.  

Good Friday

Good Friday

Good Friday

Of note with all the candles used in the processions Thursday and Friday, there is a line of wax on the cobble streets, hence, need to watch where you are walking as it could become quite slippery.

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

Easter Sunday

With each of these processions there was always a marching band.  

In particular on Easter Sunday, you couldn’t get enough of the marching band.  I couldn’t help smiling thinking of my parents.  They always loved marching bands and they would have been in their element.

Saturday was a nice day, so after going to the Mercato for our Saturday cappuccino and cornetta we headed out and took a drive through the countryside.  

We certainly have missed being home over Easter to see our family, but thank goodness for skype.  

Poppies

Poppies