Right now during the time of Cuaresma (lent) churches near to Antigua have velaciones (vigils) on Friday, like the one we saw on Ash Wednesday, and then a procession on the Sunday. The participants of the processions wear robes and head coverings, some walk as a border while others carry huge float-like constructions or figures. There is usually a marching band playing music that they march to, and it gets quite smokey from other people swinging incense as they walk. They usually follow a route from their town's church through the streets of Antigua to the Parque Central and the Cathedral and then back winding through Antigua to their church. The processions are an all day event!
On Sunday we watched the procession of the church of Santa Ines del Monte Pulciano as they passed La Merced and again in front of the Cathedral. When they reached the Cathedral there was organ music and singing from loud speakers coming from inside the Cathedral. And then the priest came on saying a few words and praying the Lord's Prayer in Spanish. Some people passed out candles for us to hold as the procession went by, but it was SO windy we could keep them lit.
These processions and vigils are a very historic and Catholic custom that were brought over from Spain. Here in Guatemala, Antigua has the best know display of processions that become even more impressive during Semana Santa (Holy Week, right before Easter).
