Venerdi, Aprile 2-5 miles
Domenica, Aprile 4-1 mile
While many of the students from Santa Chiara decided to leave for a four day weekend, I decided to stay in town and experience the Easter Festivities that go on throughout the week. Castiglion Fiorentino has continued their Easter and Holy Week traditions since the 13th century. The weeks activities included three processions; one scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Good Friday with the Passion Play enacted against a cliff backdrop on Thursday. Thunderstorms and rain canceled Tuesday's procession and Thursdays play.
The procession on Friday began at Piazza Della Collegiata right outside our home of Santa Chiara and were scheduled to begin at 9 pm, but as Paolo Barucchieri (the man who started the Santa Chiara study center over 20 years ago) explains: "
"Of course it will be later, you know, we are in Italy..." (the procession started around 9:35)
A look inside Chiesa del Gesu
The ceiling was beautifully decorated in gold and blue
crosses waiting to be carried
The processions include three brotherhoods (more existed in the past that have since been abolished). The brotherhoods are not a religious order were founded to serve the church and a social purpose. Each brotherhood leads one of the 3 processions. The brotherhoods carry 3 crosses each and members carry wax torches along the procession through the town.
The Campania di Mezziricorde wears black robes and is affiliated with the Chiesa di San Francesco. They were originally formed in Florence during the Plague and served to assist the sick and prepare them for dying.
The Campania di Gesu wears blue robes and is affiliated with Chiesa del Gesu.
Many in each brotherhood proceeded through the procession barefoot. The weight of this gesture coupled with the torches and the large heavy crosses was extremely moving.
The Campania di Sant'Anthony is affiliated with the Chiesa di San Francesco and wears white robes. This brotherhood has no ties to the KKK despite their resemblance to the sect.
At the end of the procession it is part of the tradition for community members to follow at the end as the brotherhoods pass. Lydia, Laura, Jen, and I followed as well as the procession made its return along Via San Giuliano back to the Piazza Della Collegiata.
flower centerpieces at our table for Easter dinner
Lydia came down from Orvieto for the weekend and shared in the experience. Here Lydia, Me and Heidi are at Easter dinner.
wine we had with dinner
Easter Feast! Ham, roast beef, salad, peas, and scalloped potatoes
Dessert platter!
We also went to a midnight mass at the Chiesa Della Collegiata. We arrived about 45 minutes early to be sure to get seats, although we didn't get seats in the main nave. Mass was very interesting (of course I could only follow some) as I am not Catholic, nor can I understand Italian. Right at midnight was the most exciting as men burst through the massive wooden double doors carrying a statue of Jesus. At the same time trumpets exalted and symbols crashed up in the balcony ringing throughout the church along with bursts of firecrackers lighting up the piazza outside! The joyous event brought a smile to everyone's face. Soon after members flooded the risen Jesus to kiss his feet in rejoice. (To fully partake in the experience Laura and I took communion during mass. The title of this post is what I whispered to Laura after she took communion!)
The whole celebration of Easter weekend was unforgettable to say the least. I felt a certain honor to have experienced a place so rich in tradition as both a member of the community and a foreigner. Much of the experience and emotions felt throughout can not be put into words but one could tell that we all shared in these moments.
1 comment:
What a wonderful experience! Thank you for taking the time to share. Now get to bed!
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