Religious events mark Good Friday in Minas Gerais

Religious events mark Good Friday in Minas Gerais | Minas Gerais

1 of 2 Ways of the Cross made in Sabará, Greater BH — Photo: Portal Minas Gerais/Reporudção

Way of the Cross made in Sabará, Greater BH — Photo: Portal Minas Gerais/Reporudção

Good Friday (29) is marked by several religious events in cities in Minas Gerais.

In Sabará, in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, The sound of rattles lulls and wakes up faithful in the early hours of the morning.

The Way of the Cross of Penance It is one of the most traditional rituals in the state and has been taking place since the mid-1850s.

From 4am, Catholics follow the image of Our Lady of Sorrows to the unmistakable sound of the musical instrument that signals mourning for the passion of Jesus Christ.

Leaving Largo São Francisco towards the Chapel of Senhor do Bom Jesus, the religious procession sings songs of praise and remembers Christ’s steps to Calvary, and many pay promises, they give thanks for the graces achieved and pray.

2 of 2 Catholic faithful carry a wooden cross during a procession in Serra da Piedade, in Caeté, Greater BH — Photo: Marcos Figueiredo/Arquidiocese of Belo Horizonte

Catholic faithful carry a wooden cross during a procession in Serra da Piedade, in Caeté, Greater BH — Photo: Marcos Figueiredo/Arquidiocese of Belo Horizonte

In Caeté, also in Grande BH, The Nossa Senhora da Piedade Basilica Sanctuary welcomes pilgrims and devotees throughout Good Friday with an extensive program.

From 7am, The Way of the Cross is performed, a moment of prayer that contemplates the last moments of Jesus’ life. Many devotees also take advantage of the date for individual prayers at the top of the mountain.

The sanctuary erected on top of the mountain, at an altitude of 1,746 meters, It was listed by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (Iphan), since September 26, 1956.

Over the weekend, there are morning prayers (also called lauds), preaching, masses and vigil. Our Lady of Piedade is the patron saint of Minas Gerais.

About Good Friday

Good Friday is a day of fasting and penance, marked by special events:

The Way of the Cross, a prayer that contemplates the last moments of Jesus’ life, is prayed for the 15 stations of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection;
The passion of the Lord, remembering the accomplished death and the hope of the resurrection, the mystery of Easter.

Christ offers salvation to everyone and, in tune with the entire church, universal prayer rises to the Father, asking for all the needs of the world. Each believer is invited to adore the “wood of the cross on which the salvation of the world hung”.

Good Friday celebrations began at dawn in Minas