one of the most impassioned days to be in
san miguel de allende during semana santa;
Vienes de Dolores, friday of sorrows.
a custom that dates back to the Spanish colonial times of the 1600s,
the last friday of lent the virgin is honored with an out pouring of
beautiful home and public altars.
you can find them in windowsills, niches, doorways, courtyards, entire rooms and patios.
all the public fountains in town, which number more than 40
are cleaned and filled with fresh flowers, chamomile, fennel and
decorated in purple, white and gold foil.
it is a day to honor and comfort mary in her desolation
as she sat at the foot of the cross watching her son die.
by evening the entire town is out strolling through the cobblestone streets,
everyone invited in courtyards and homes to view the altars.
they may be humble memorials on small windowsills or elaborate creations filling
entire rooms or courtyards;
all are infused with a deep love and cherishing of mary.
you will find mary,
usually a statue or banner
surrounded by large white candles and flags or drapes of purple,
the colour of mourning and grief,
and white for her purity.
bitter oranges represent her sorrow,
chamomile for her humility,
and gold
the virgin's joy in knowledge her son will be reborn.
fennel stands for the betrayal and abandonment of jesus by his disciples.
everywhere you will see pots of pale almost colourless wheat grass.
it is grown in darkness to keep it pale
so that on the altars, as the days of semana santa pass,
the lifeless pale strands begin to turn bright green,
signifying the renewal of love and resurrection.
mornings with mary
will you join me?
a brand new meme dedicated to beginning each week
sharing the beauty of mary.
please link back to recuerda mi corazon
so more may join us.
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Glorious photos, Rebecca.xx
Posted by: Lizbeth | March 25, 2013 at 08:19 AM
Nice to meet by way of Mary here on Monday, a bright start to the week. x
Posted by: Sue Fox | March 25, 2013 at 09:53 AM
Heartstopping beauty, Rebecca. Every detail from the Madonna's hands to her tears is so spiritually fulfilling. I could look at them all day!!
Posted by: Laurie Zuckerman | March 25, 2013 at 11:42 AM
Oh just awesome photos. A little late am I, but here I is. All your photos and words are always so inspiring. Have a great day. I'll visit other blogs later today. Running kind of late right now. Take care.
Posted by: gloria | March 25, 2013 at 01:09 PM
Stunning post!!!!!!!
thank you!
Posted by: peggy gatto | March 25, 2013 at 01:29 PM
this fills my heart, such an outpouring of the love for Mary and the sorrow she had to have felt.
thank you.
my cousin closest to my heart died unexpectedly this past week. this post, even though my cousin wasn't Catholic, brings some comfort to me.
thank you, dear Rebecca.
Posted by: Nonnie | March 25, 2013 at 02:45 PM
She is stunning. Her tears, reflecting light back into the dark, cure a broken heart.
Posted by: annie | March 25, 2013 at 08:21 PM
Beautiful in her sadness.
Posted by: Donna Maria | March 26, 2013 at 04:54 AM
Exquisite post honor Our Lady ~ mother and divine of us all ~ Thanks for reminding me ~ lots of hugs to you ~ Wishing you the best in each day ~ ^_^
Posted by: Carol and artmusedog ^_^ | March 26, 2013 at 06:09 AM
I had to come back and look at Mary. Her tears fill my heart with the thought of how it must have been "watching" her son dying on the cross. My gosh, what sorrow. She is beautiful. Thank you.
Posted by: gloria | March 26, 2013 at 07:54 AM
{{ clearly
clearly ...
i must plan to travel
Some*Day
to SM
at Easter time,
the holy week,
with
you ...
clearly
i must ... }}
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Posted by: Tratamientos para la piel mixta | March 29, 2013 at 02:28 AM