- The parishioners walked for several hours to fulfill the tradition of Holy Wednesday
The day of masses on Holy Wednesday in Caracas closed with a homily in honor of the Nazarene of San Pablo in the Diego Ibarra square, diagonal to the Basilica of Santa Teresa, and later a procession that toured part of the central part of the city.
The tradition was joined by hundreds of people who ask for or thank the Nazarene of San Pablo for favors, according to what the team of The newspaper during the tour. Those who feel a great devotion to the traditions of Holy Week also attended. On the way to the procession, several onlookers and people who left their jobs or their homes appeared to be able to observe the image of the saint and even take a photo from their phones.
At 4:30 pm, a police security team escorted the image of the Nazarene and the Virgin of Dolores to the plaza, where they previously set up a stage wrapped in purple and white cloth for the mass.
Cardinal Baltazar Porras led the Eucharist, to his left a musical group towards the customary breaks with the melodies selected for the Mass of the Nazarene. Among them a piece dedicated to the saint.
Since time immemorial, the people of Caracas, especially in difficult times, pandemics or social problems, turn to the loving and tender face, but suffering and patient of the Nazarene of San Pablo,” Porras said during his sermon.
An example of this statement was the mobilization on Holy Wednesday. This year the tradition took place with fewer restrictions, although many of the devotees, especially the elderly, preferred to wear masks to join the crowd.
The desire to be closer to the Nazarene
As the mass progressed, the parishioners tried to get closer to see the image of the Nazarene better, but in the middle of the square they found a police cordon with metal barriers that would eventually be the limit where the devotees came to receive communion.
At various strategic points, lines of people were formed waiting to fulfill the sacrament of communion, later they rearranged themselves looking for a better vision.
A few minutes before 6:00 pm the mass ended and Porras announced the beginning of the procession, asking for the collaboration of the parishioners with whom they carried on their shoulders the images of the Nazarene and the Virgin Mary.
As the procession left the square to head to the corner of Cruz Verde, a group of parishioners crowded behind the image to try to follow it closely.
Nayelis Arcila, one of the devotees, preferred to follow the procession at a slower pace, but with the Nazarene always in sight. She attended with her partner, both dressed in the typical purple color that represents the Nazarene, to thank for a favor granted.
It is the fourth year that I have been paying promise. My brother had a problem abroad for which our family asked the Nazarene and thank God it could be resolved and that is why we will continue to fulfill that promise for seven years, ”he indicated.
He added that part of his commitment is to accompany the image for at least two blocks after mass each year.
a leisurely tour
After several minutes, the images reached the corner of Cruz Verde where several officials from the Criminal and Criminal Scientific Investigation Corps received her between prayers at the door of the Palace of Justice.
The tour continued towards the corner of Santa Rosalía and then turned towards Avenida Baralt with their respective stops. During the mobilization night fell and a full moon accompanied the parishioners who were walking through the center of the city.
Despite the natural light from the satellite, the faithful lit candles to light their way. One of them was Ismarisa Rodriguez, who followed the procession even though she was unable to hear the first part of the mass.
I have been coming to the procession for three years as a thank you because my sister managed to beat colon cancer”, confessed the devotee.
Although not all those who comply with this tradition do so necessarily because of promises or favors. Norma Rodríguez, for her part, admits that she is extremely religious and that she is disciplined with the traditions of Holy Week by her own decision.
The mass was wonderful, the most. I come to Mass because I like it and I like it, as long as God gives me health he will be here, ”she explained.
Until the end
Over the hours, the temperature dropped in Caracas and the fatigue was noticeable in the parishioners who decided to continue until the end of the procession.
On Baralt avenue, several street vendors took advantage of the occasion to offer food to those who accompanied the image of the Nazarene. A popcorn vendor, at 15 bolivars a bag, seemed to have won over the religious public, but less than a meter away a man stopped offering two bowls of soup for $1, which attracted the attention of the faithful.
Carla Bravo’s family ventured to try the soup offer to endure the cold in Caracas. For her, the low temperatures were a little less tolerable because she made the procession barefoot all night.
I come to the procession to pay a promise, because 18 years ago my arm was going to be amputated and thanks to a promise that my family made to the Nazarene, I was able to recover”, he explained.
He added that the mass was pleasant, although it seemed to him that this year’s route was longer and more leisurely than on previous occasions.
After crossing part of the city, the image of the Nazarene of San Pablo returned with the help of the faithful to its refuge in the Basilica of Santa Teresa, where Caracas residents can go to comply with the rest of the Holy Week traditions and observe the altar of the saint surrounded by at least 3,500 orchids donated by Venezuelan devotees.