The Holy Aspect of Easter

Good Friday is one of the most religious days observed in San Pedro. In days gone by, families would remain at home and prepare for the religious services. Children, in particular, were urged to stay home, asked not to argue or fight with their siblings and were even discouraged from swimming in the sea. It was the belief of their ancestors that something tragic would happen to those who disobeyed or behaved "rudely" on Good Friday. The common myth used to discourage the children from going to swim was that they would turn into mermaids/mermen. This practice seemed to work as the village was transformed into a "ghost town" on this specific day.
At midday on Good Friday, the "Celebration of the Seven Words" would commence. This is a two and a half hour service concentrating on readings of the seven times Christ spoke before he died. This is followed by a Eucharistic Service and the Adoration of the Cross before the Holy Procession begins at about 5:30 p.m. The Holy Procession was and still is the largest annual procession held in San Pedro. The entire congregation is divided into groups led first by children and followed by teenage girls, women and lastly, the men. The young ladies take turns carrying a statue of the Virgin Mary while the men carry a casket (symbolizing the death of Christ) as hymns and prayers are chanted throughout the main streets of town.

Good Friday Procession:

On Easter Sunday, Catholics rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For the first time ever, San Pedro witnessed a special procession early Easter Sunday morning. Called El Encuentro, the procession was a replay of Christ come to life, and his joyful reunion with his bereaved mother, Mary. Children dressed as angels sang carols and ended the meeting of the women & men at the Church square on a most joyful note.

El Encuentro - Easter Sunday