The liturgical preparation period began on Ash Wednesday, February 18th, with the celebration of Holy Mass and the Rite of the Imposition of Ashes at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, an act that included the Ceremony of the Candles of Solidarity.
"To my Holy Week in Cieza, which generation after generation continues to proclaim through its streets the greatest love story ever told".
During Lent, the scheduled religious services took place, with the highlight being the Convocation on Sunday, March 22nd, in the Town Hall's Plenary Hall, followed by the Transfer of the Banners. The processions began on Good Friday, March 27th, with the departure of Our Lady of Sorrows from the Convent of Saint Joaquin, and the procession of the Holy Christ of Mercy at midnight. On Passion Saturday, March 28, this cycle was completed with the transfer of the Holy Christ of Forgiveness.
"Blessed is he who comes: let us go out to meet the Lord".
Palm Sunday, March 29, began with the blessing of the palms and the Palm Procession. In the afternoon, the Descent of the Holy Christ of Consolation took place from its Hermitage, carried by a multitude of the faithful to the Basilica. On Holy Monday, March 30, the Extraordinary Way of the Cross of the Holy Christ of the Blood was celebrated, while on Holy Tuesday, March 31, the Plaza Mayor hosted the reenactment of the Arrest of Christ, followed by its titular procession.
"Come and see: the encounter that changes everything".
On Holy Wednesday, April 1, after the Parade of the Children's Tercios and the Transfers of Saint John and Saint Mary Magdalene, the General Procession was held. On Holy Thursday, April 2, the activities continued with the Procession of the Children of Mary and, at midnight, the Procession of Silence. On Holy Friday, April 3rd, the Penitent Procession took place in the morning, followed by the solemn Procession of the Holy Burial in the evening.
"May Holy Week in Cieza continue to be, for many, the first place where Christ comes to meet them again".
The early hours of Holy Saturday, April 4th, saw the Procession of Christ's Descent into Hell, a day that concluded with the Easter Vigil. Holy Week ended on Easter Sunday, April 5th, with the Procession of the Risen Christ and the central act of "La Cortesía" at the Convent Corner, bringing this year's celebrations to a close.
Finally, we wish to express our gratitude to all the participants in the Cieza processions for their work and dedication in each procession. Likewise, we thank the spectators lining the sidewalks, whose respect and participation are fundamental to the success of our celebration. With the echo of the last drums, the cycle that we in this town experience from April to March now begins, while Holy Week in Cieza 2027 is already approaching.
