El dia de la procesión de los niños., today…dia del virgen. This procession through the alfrombras, or beautiful fruit-and-flower carpets, in the streets ¨to the cross¨ affected me more than recent others have, maybe because the procession of children in special dress or costume-- some of the boys carrying the andas of Christ; some of the girls carrying Mary-- stopped on a large straw mat at various corners of the main calles of San Pedro (where usually I go to the ATM machine, buy my cards for my celfone, or buy my fruit and vegetables.) There tables had been set up with candles, flowers, and incense, and several old ladies in traditional dress, under a huge double arch of fruits and vegetables.In each of these spots or “stations of the cross,” a different child read a passage from the bible describing this station (Christ fell here and a soldier helped him up, it was difficult here and a follower wiped his brow, etc.) and all the people recited the appropriate group response. Really beautiful to hear the solemn voices. And then the whole column proceeded slowly to the next station, the or carriers with a side-to-side swaying motion, and the old ladies in the rear singing out of books that looked as old as they did.The children were adorable, as always,but the thing that always gets me is Mary following her son to his cruxificion. It was after all, a true story, whatever Mel Gibson made of it. I could become a Catholic, for all the chanting and incense, and the personal story of Christ; I just happen to have bad feelings about the Catholic Church.Que lastima.
No comments:
Post a Comment