The fifth week of Lent begins with vigils and ends with the fifth processional procession of Lent in La Antigua – San Bartolo
Wednesday March 13- The fifth week of Lent
The fifth week of Lent begins with the vigil in honor of the Virgin of San Bartolomé Becerra in the village of San Bartolomé Becerra (better known as “San Bartolo”).
Friday March 15- the fifth week of Lent
Three vigils are held: the first in the Hermitage of Santa Lucía (in honor of Jesús Nazareno de la Esperanza). The second in San Bartolomé Becerra (in honor of the Consecrated Image of Jesus Nazareno de la Caída) and finally a children’s vigil in the Cemetery of Jocotenango.
The largest vigil is the one made in honor of C.I. of Jesus Nazareno de la Caída in San Bartolomé Becerra. It is said to be the only image of the colonial era that still remains in La Antigua after the capital was moved in 1776 to Guatemala City.
The funeral march is dedicated to the image of Jesús Nazareno de la Caída and is titled “Jesús de San Bartolo”. It was written by Manuel Antonio Ramírez Crocker.
Saturday March 16- The fifth week of Lent
Two vigil are carried out today: The first of C.I. of the buried Lord of the church of San José Catedral and the second of the C.I. of the Virgin of Dolores of the church of San Francisco “El Grande”.
In addition, there will be children’s processions from the church of Escuela de Cristo, from the cemetery of Jocotenango, the church of Dueñas and finally the church of San José Catedral.
Sunday March 17- The fifth week of Lent
From the church of San Bartolomé Becerra at 5AM will begin the procession of the Consecrated Image of Jesus Nazareno de la Caída. The author or the year of creation of the image is not known, but many attribute it to the sculptor Pedro de Mendoza. The first procession that carried the image was that of the fifth Sunday of Lent in 1902.
The village
This village, south west of La Antigua, was founded by Bartolomé Becerra in a small rural settlement. Due to the many earthquakes, the church was rebuilt and modified until it was finally opened in 1980. In front of the church – as is common with many of the churches in the villages of La Antigua and in the city itself – there is a carved cross in stone and a small square.
