Every year, for hundreds of years, the town of Mendrisio, Switzerland had a solemn, historical Easter procession on both Thursday and Good Friday. We attended the Good Friday procession 9 years ago when we lived here. Last night we met our dear friends, Rino and Manuela (who live in Mendrisio) to watch the Thursday evening procession.
It is really a special moment to see!
(for some reason I cannot upload a video to this blog, so please check my Facebook for videos)
Everyone in the procession is in costume. Children march with real torches. It is a quiet procession depicting the death of Jesus. Whoever plays Jesus or the others crucified with him walk barefoot. Everyone else has gladiator type sandals.
And something we noticed: they actually let children walk with these torches, and they were also walking near the horses, which at times were skittish. I don't think this would be allowed in the USA!
Jesus carrying his cross
These backlit scenes from the life of Christ are hundreds of years old. They are found throughout the procession route through the center of town. Many have been restored. The procession takes place around 9pm and it is truly beautiful with all these "light-boxes".
The three Marys
This is Herod, with children holding the edges of his long robe, where money can be thrown in.
The cathedral in Mendrisio
Rick with Manuela and Rino
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