The youth members of Cieza’s religious brotherhoods leave their mark in Zaragoza during the XIII National Gathering of Youth from Brotherhoods

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Posted on 25/10/2026 at 22:13

The experience has brought together nearly 2,000 brotherhood members from different parts of Spain, allowing the delegation from Cieza to enjoy unforgettable days of coexistence, learning, and personal enrichment.

Organized this time in the Aragonese capital, the gathering offered a wide program of religious, cultural, and educational activities, turning Zaragoza into the epicenter of the national youth brotherhood movement.

The expedition from Cieza departed on Friday, October 23, eager to represent our Holy Week and share with other young people the same passion for traditions and brotherhoods.

A welcome marked by emotion and tradition:
The first day was highlighted by the arrival of the various delegations and the opening ceremony in the emblematic Plaza del Pilar.

Prior to this, one of the most symbolic moments of the gathering took place: the floral offering to the Virgin of the Pilar, where representatives of the participating delegations paid tribute to the patron saint of Hispanic heritage.

The opening ceremony provided a closer look at the cultural and religious wealth of Zaragoza through a showcase of its Holy Week, the performance of Aragonese jotas, and various representations of its most characteristic traditions.

The day concluded in a festive atmosphere of camaraderie, fostering the first encounters among young people from different cities, united by the same way of understanding and living Holy Week.

Education, heritage, and camaraderie among brotherhood members:
Saturday, October 24, was dedicated to education and the exchange of experiences. The schedule began with an opening prayer and the presentation "Change to Remain: The Future of Our Brotherhoods", which invited reflection on the challenges facing brotherhoods, the importance of adapting to modern times, and, especially, the essential role of youth as a guarantee of the continuity of our traditions.

Subsequently, the candidacies to host the next edition of the gathering were presented, offering an opportunity to learn about new projects and witness the commitment of different Spanish cities to the youth brotherhood movement.

The day continued at the Compañía de María School, where various booths were set up and activities related to Holy Week traditions took place. Among them, a workshop dedicated to the characteristic instruments of Zaragoza's Holy Week stood out, especially its well-known drums, bass drums, and kettle-drums.

The inter-brotherhood lunch was another highlight, allowing participants to strengthen bonds, exchange experiences, and establish new friendships among young people who, despite coming from different places, share the same faith and devotion.

During the gathering, participants also had the opportunity to discover Zaragoza's artistic heritage through the "Ad Salvatorem" exhibition at the Savior's Cathedral, known as La Seo, which brought together processional images and different representative elements of its brotherhoods.

An extraordinary procession to remember:
One of the most anticipated and emotional moments of the weekend came on Saturday afternoon with an extraordinary procession through the streets of Zaragoza's historic center.

A total of 23 processional floats paraded through the main streets of the city, representing the different moments of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The solemnity of the images, the sound of traditional instruments, the participation of hundreds of brotherhood members, and the extraordinary heritage of Zaragoza's Holy Week offered a sight that will be hard to forget.

The JOHC Group played a particularly prominent role, made up of about 220 young people from different brotherhoods, whose drums, bass drums, and kettle-drums accompanied the processional route.

For the members of the Cieza delegation, this celebration was a unique opportunity to discover other ways of living and expressing faith, witnessing the enormous wealth and diversity that characterizes Spanish Holy Week.

The day culminated with the gala dinner, a space for gathering and celebration that served to share the experiences accumulated during these intense days.

The Basilica del Pilar, the setting for an emotional farewell:
Sunday, October 25, was marked by the closing acts of the gathering.

The day began with a thanksgiving mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, a moment of reflection and prayer where participants could give thanks for everything experienced over the weekend.

Afterward, the processional transfer of the image of Saint John the Evangelist, patron saint of youth brotherhoods, took place from the Basilica del Pilar to the Church of Santa Isabel de Portugal, known as San Cayetano.

The reading of the gathering's conclusions and the announcement of the next host city brought the final touch to an edition that has once again demonstrated the strength, enthusiasm, and commitment of the new generations to the future of brotherhoods.

Cieza, present in the future of youth brotherhoods:
Beyond the official events, Cieza's participation in this XIII JOHC has been an extraordinary opportunity to showcase our Holy Week, share our traditions, and strengthen ties with young brotherhood members from all over Spain.

During these days, the members of the expedition shared conversations, experiences, concerns, and moments of coexistence that help enrich the work carried out by the youth committees of the different brotherhoods.

This participation also provides a new momentum to continue promoting initiatives that bring Holy Week closer to younger generations and encourage their active involvement in the life of Cieza's brotherhoods.

The Youth Committee of the Board of Passionate Brotherhoods of Cieza wishes to express its special thanks to the organization of JOHC Zaragoza 2026 and its entire team of volunteers, whose dedication, closeness, and hospitality made the participants feel welcome throughout their stay.

Likewise, they appreciate the collaboration of the entities, companies, and sponsors that made the travel of the Cieza delegation possible, as well as the trust of all the young people who decided to be part of this experience.

The delegation from Cieza returns from Zaragoza with new friendships, great memories, and, above all, a renewed enthusiasm to keep working for the present and future of our Holy Week.

Because gatherings like this prove that Holy Week is not limited to a few days on the calendar, but is a way of living, sharing, and transmitting a tradition that unites generations.

Cieza returns home with suitcases full of experiences and hearts full of Holy Week.

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