![]() ![]() On Easter Sunday, ticos mark the resurrection of Jesus, as it was on this day that the disciples found Jesus’ tomb to be empty. Easter Sunday – resurrection and rejoicing The biggest and most spectacular processions can be seen in San Jose and Heredia, and these are often televised. ![]() The procession is performed by people who have professed to have lived the past year without sin and in accordance with Roman Catholic teachings. In some instances, local people put on a play of the day’s events, playing the parts of Jesus, his followers, Pilate and other characters from the bible. In some parts of Costa Rica, such as the Central Valley, the Good Friday processions are not to be missed locals often re-enact the final hours of Jesus’ life in traditional costume, carrying a cross and life-size statue of Jesus through the streets. Prayer and meditation are a key part of the day’s events local people attend church and often a cross is taken outside, with the people following in procession, marking the Stations of the Cross. A dry law is also in place from Wednesday, so it’s not possible to buy alcohol until the end of Holy Week. To commemorate the day, many ticos fast, or at the very least avoid eating meat as a sign of respect. The most poignant day of the Easter celebration is Good Friday, which marks the day on which Jesus was arrested, tried and crucified. On these days, everything winds down within the local area as people shut up shop and spend time at home with their families and at church to mark the important event. Holy Thursday is a public holiday in Costa Rica, as is Good Friday. Usually, the feet of 12 churchgoers are washed to symbolize each of the apostles. Ticos celebrate mass, which becomes especially significant as this time in the church’s calendar marks the Last Supper – when Jesus ate a Passover meal with his followers the night before he was crucified.Ī key part of the mass on Maundy Thursday is the washing of feet – in the bible, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples the day before his crucifixion, and so the priest washes the feet of members of his congregation in homage. Maundy Thursday – a poignant passoverĪlso known as Holy Thursday, Maundy Thursday is the next day of commemoration during Eastertide. To commemorate the event and mark the start of Holy Week, Costa Ricans will often process around the church and local area with their palm leaves, and sometimes the biblical scene is re-enacted by churchgoers in full ancient attire. In the bible, Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem by crowds waving palm tree branches. Catholic ticos attend mass on Palm Sunday, where they receive a palm leaf blessed by the priest. The Sunday before the main Easter celebration is known as Palm Sunday, at which time local ticos celebrate the historic entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Head to the nearest village, town or city to witness Eastertide, Costa Rican style, and keep reading to find out more about how Holy Week is celebrated in the Latin American country. During the week, local ticos prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, observing this holy time with processions, masses at church and by spending time with loved ones.Īround 70 per cent of the local population is Roman Catholic, so wherever you’re based when you volunteer in Costa Rica, you should be within easy reach of some local celebrations. Losing some attacking verve, Costa Rica edged Greece on penalties in the last 16 before their nerve broke in a quarter-final penalty shootout with the Netherlands following brave defiance of Arjen Robben and company in a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes.Ĭosta Rica conceded just two goals throughout the tournament and they did that without their best defender, left back Bryan Oviedo, who failed to recover from a broken leg.The days leading up to Easter Sunday (on March 27th in 2016) are traditionally known as Holy Week, or Semana Santa in Costa Rica. ‘Tico-taka’, as some dubbed their style of stalwart defending and nippy counter-attacks, carried them comfortably through a 0-0 draw with another former World Cup winner, England, to top a group they were expected to struggle in. Many eyes had been on all-conquering Spain and their slick-passing brand of ‘tiki-taka’ football before the tournament, but within days it was the ‘Ticos’ who caught attention with stunning and deserved victories over Uruguay and Italy. “Costa Rica’s heart broken, but soul intact,” read one of the Sunday headlines at home as the Central American nation of less than 5 million people hailed its over-achieving heroes who began the tournament as 4,000-1 outsiders. Costa Rica players prepare for the penalty shootout in the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals between Costa Rica and the Netherlands at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador July 5, 2014.
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