Brazlian Holidays: Easter/Semana Santa (March/April)



Figure 1.-- The photo was taken during the Easter Mass in São José do Rio Preto (São Paulo, Brazil). A group of altar boys and altar girls are waving flags. Probably that took place at the beginning of the Mass in the Easter night, when traditionally the altar servers ring little bells as sign of joy.

Brazil which represents half of South America is the largest Catholic country in the world. Holy Week - Semana Santa is observed throughout Brazil with the same colorful processions and rituals that are common in other largely Catholic countries. Easter is a little different in Brzil than Europe and America. The famous and splashy Rio Carnival precedes Easter. The Carnival takes place during the days, preceding 'Ash Wednesday', the first of 40 days of the Lent season. The riotous excesses of Carinival sets the syage for the reflctive Easter celebration. Easter developed in Christianity as a kind spring festival, the annual renewal of like which fit in with the story of Jesus' crusifiction and resurection. Rather than Spring, Brazil in the southern hemisphere celebrates the holiday in autumn, because of its geographical location. And as the Equator crosses across the coujntry, the seasonal pattern is not as pronounced as in the northern hemisphere. Some of the best known Easter events in Brazil include: the Procissão do Fogaréu in Goiás Velho, GO, the Passion Play in Nova Jerusalém, and the Recife Passion Play. Many seek out traditional Holy Week Catholicism, including historic cities where processions are staged on stone-paved or cobblestone streets and the Mass is conducted in beautiful old churches. There is also a secular aspect to Easter in Brazil. Brazil is largely Catholic, but this includes huge numbers who are culturaly Catholic, but do not practive their faith. Many Brazilians use the Easter holiday to go to the beach or other popular vacation spots. Schools usually have a week long holiday. Others make it a family event, seeking to be with their families.








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Created: 4:22 PM 3/13/2013
Last updated: 4:22 PM 3/13/2013