Semana Santa
Semana Santa or Holy Week in Mexico or Easter Week, as it is known in the United States. It is a Christian tradition. beginning with Palm Sunday (April 01) and ending with Easter Sunday (April 08, 2012) it is one of the most important religious holidays besides Christmas, in all of Mexico. Many Mexicans observe the week following, Pascua (Resurrection Sunday until the following Saturday) as part of this vacation period as well. Semana Santa celebrates the last days of the Christ's life. Pascua is the celebration of the Christ's Resurrection. It is also the end of the sacrifices of Lent.
Semana Santa gets underway on Palm Sunday when the faithful may join in a special mass which includes the blessing of palm fronds or crosses and other figures that have been fashioned from palms. A large procession commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem often precedes the mass. Some of the blessed palms are later burned and the ashes reserved by the church for marking the sign of the cross on the foreheads of communicants during Ash Wednesday services the following year.
Considering Mexico is almost 90 percent Catholic there is little surprise as to why it is so reverently celebrated. The other reason is that Mexico enjoys some of the best outdoor activity weather across the country at this time of year. Camping with the family is popular and if there is a beach near by it will be crowded.
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