The Rites of Spring

AS WITH almost all Christian holidays, Easter has been secularized and commercialized. The dichotomous nature of Easter and its symbols, however, is not necessarily a modern fabrication. Since its conception as a holy celebration in the second century, Easter has had its non-religious side. In fact, Easter was originally a pagan festival.

The ancient Saxons celebrated the return of spring with an uproarious festival commemorating their goddess of offspring and of springtime, Easter. When the second-century Christian missionaries encountered the tribes of the north with their pagan celebrations, they attempted to convert them to Christianity slowly by allowing them to continue to celebrate pagan feasts, but to do so in a Christian manner. Semana Santa or Holy Week begins with the observance of Palm Sunday which takes its name from Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem where the crowds laid palms at his feet. Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, which was held the evening before the Crucifixion. Friday in Holy Week, Good Friday, is the anniversary of the Crucifixion, the day that Christ was crucified and died on the cross.

During this week, the faithful throughout Mexico celebrate with great fervor the last days of Christ on earth. Thursday and Good Friday of Easter Week are when things reach a peak of activity. On these days most communities hold religious processions and reenactments of events such as the Last Supper and the arrest of Christ and His trial before Herod. Some are very elaborate pageants and Passion Plays with costumed characters representing biblical figures such as Pontius Pilate, the Virgin Mary and Christ Himself.

On Good Friday the procession known as el Encuentro, the meeting or encounter, takes place when Mary is reunited with her son during His passage along the Via Doloroso to His crucifixion.

On the Saturday before Easter, Saturday of Glory as it is known here (Sabado de Gloria), in some communities there's some comic relief to the general solemnity with the raucous burning of Los Judas, the Judases. These large papier maché effigies, usually painted in eye-popping colors, representing Judas Iscariot.

The figures are hung up in the street or the central town plaza. Once the public has gathered, they are ignited in quick succession, thereby symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

For all Christian churches, Easter Sunday is unquestionably the most important day of the entire religious calendar. Since all Roman Catholics are expected to attend mass and take Holy Communion to mark the holiday, every celebration held in each of the thousands of churches throughout Mexico will be packed with the faithful on this day.

The church bells will ring out to proclaim a day of joy and spiritual renewal, the promise of redemption symbolized by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ has risen! Spring is here! There is Light, Love and Hope that Good can conquer evil. There is Hope for Peace. Let all rejoice. It is the Rite of Spring.