Pabasa, Penitensya, and other Holy Week traditions explained

DEVOUT Catholics in the Philippines take the Holy Week seriously with various activities to participate in or witness. To be honest about it, in these modern times, different Lenten practices can be quite overwhelming. But don’t worry, because republicasia’s got you covered with a quick guide to Holy Week activities.

Pabasa

As early as Palm Sunday, pabasa or the chant-like reading of the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ begins. What’s unique about this is that pabasa is continuously done until 3 o’clock on Good Friday. In order to accomplish this, readers of pabasa go on a round-the-clock rotation to allow other readers to rest.

Senakulo

While pabasa is chanting, senakulo on the other hand is a theatrical dramatization of the passion and death of Jesus Christ. These are usually performed outdoors, with stages erected in plazas or closed streets. Senakulo performances may also start as early as Palm Sunday.

Penitensya

A Filipino translation of ‘penitence,’ penitensya is an act done primarily by men to pay for the sins they have made. In communities like the famous Barangay San Pedro Cutud in San Fernando, Pampanga, this would involve the punishments done unto Jesus Christ during his passion like flagellation, and carrying and nailing to the cross. This is usually done on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday.

Visita Iglesia

It is tradition for Catholics to visit seven churches on Maundy Thursday as pilgrimage. While at the churches, devotees will pray the 14 Stations of the Cross, two stations for each church. While other people can do visita iglesia prior to Maundy Thursday, it is advisable to do it before Good Friday as churches close down by 3 o’clock or the time of Jesus Christ’s death.

Prusisyon

Most Catholic celebrations and festivities in the Philippines involve some sort of procession, and Holy Week is not an exemption. During the lenten season, images of Jesus Christ’s life and death, even the statues of the different images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as other religious figures, are paraded along the streets. Behind each image are devotees holding candles and praying as they walk.

Salubong

On the dawn of Easter Sunday, a separate procession is held called salubong. This is the reenactment of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and Him meeting with the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is quite unique as salubong starts with two separate processions, one of the risen Christ and one of the mourning Mary wearing a black veil. Once the two images meet, the veil is removed.

Other church activities

There are other church activities being held during Holy Week besides the usual masses. One of these is the washing of the feet and the Last Supper mass that occurs on Maundy Thursday. During this, the priest will wash the feet of twelve pre-selected parishioners who represent the twelve apostles.

Another is the Seven Last Words which happens on Good Friday. This pertains to the seven sayings Jesus Christ said before his death on the cross. This is immediately followed by the veneration of the cross where Catholic devotees express reverence and respect for the cross as it symbolizes Christ’s sacrifice.

At the stroke of 3 o’clock, churches are closed down as Christ has already died. This will continue up to the day of Black Saturday. On the evening, however, will be the start of Easter vigil, followed by the blessing of the fire and water, which signifies Christ’s upcoming rebirth.

While many people use the Holy Week break to go on vacations, it is also important to reflect and go back to our faith. It is also quite an experience to witness all these lenten traditions which the Philippines is so rich of, being a primarily Catholic nation.