The Brotherhood of Our Lady of Solitude of Vera Cruz led the traditional Procession of Silence through the streets of downtown Vitoria-Gasteiz this Holy Thursday. The procession departed from the Desamparados church around 8:30 PM and traversed Ortiz de Zárate, Plaza de los Fueros, Postas, Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, Dato, and San Prudencio before returning to its starting point.
The six floats depicting Jesus' calvary paraded, accompanied by crosses on shoulders, drums, and bugles, in the silence that gives the procession its name. This event annually marks the solemn beginning of the main days of Vitoria's Holy Week.
“"We give thanks for the Eucharist, the strength of our strength, which has given saints the energy to transform the world."
The Bishop of Vitoria, Juan Carlos Elizalde Espinal, used the Holy Thursday celebration to deliver a message of hope and fraternity. The core of his address was an affirmation of fraternal love in the face of a turbulent present. The bishop contrasted the reality of conflicts with the evangelical message, calling for the love of Jesus, a fraternal love, a love that gives life, and a love that forgives.
Elizalde dedicated the final part of his speech to requesting priests and pastors for the communities of the diocese of Vitoria. The bishop stated that “a moment of hope” is being experienced because “there are quite a few already in the seminary,” and he encouraged all communities to strengthen this trend through prayer.
This year's Holy Week introduces a new feature: the procession of Our Lady of Solitude in the early hours of Holy Saturday. Scheduled for 7:00 AM on April 4, it will depart from the vicinity of the Old Cathedral and arrive at San Vicente church at dawn, recreating Mary's journey to the tomb. The central procession, that of the Holy Burial, will take place this Good Friday, April 3, at 9:00 PM from Cuesta de San Vicente, featuring the parade of the main brotherhoods and a dozen floats, notably the Christ on the Cold Stone, a 15th-century Flemish carving, and the relic of the Holy Thorn. The events will conclude on Easter Sunday with the procession of banners from San Pedro church to the New Cathedral at 12:00 PM.
