Easter celebration in Mexico is held as a combination of
two separate big observances - Semana Santa and Pascua. The former means
the whole of the Holy Week - Palm Sunday to Easter Saturday. And the
Pascua is the observance for the period from the Resurrection Sunday
to the following Saturday.
For most Mexicans, this two-week period is the time for a great vacation.
People enjoy this time with the community of their choice.
Semana Santa celebrates the last days of the Christ's life. Pascua is the celebration of the Christ's Resurrection. It is also the release from the sacrifices of Lent.
In many communities, the full Passion Play is enacted from the Last Supper, the Betrayal, the Judgement, the Procession of the 12 Stations of the Cross, the Crucifixion and, finally, the Resurrection. In some communities,
real crucifixion is included. The enactments are often nicely staged, costumed and acted, with participants preparing for their roles for nearly the full year leading up to Semana Santa.
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