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The long weekend for the Easter holiday is generally used to take vacations, usually with family. On Sundays, the churches are full as people respect the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus or El Senor. Most people go home to spend time with family and friends or just to visit old hometowns. Others flock to the beaches, rivers and other tourist areas to take advantage of the 3 days free from working. As a result of this, the city of Santo Domingo turns into a ghost town. Most businesses and stores are closed. Highways and streets are almost empty except the main roads leading out of the cities. On Sunday evenings, there are traffic jams galore. All is congested once again with all the people returning to their homes and adjusting to reality after the holiday.
Semana Santa / Pascau de Resurrección/ Holy Week/ Easter is a very important time in Dominican Republic. Religious Holidays are recognized nationwide since the country's main population is Catholic. Christmas, Epiphany and other religious holidays are very important but Semana Santa is the most important of all these religious holidays.
Semana Santa is celebrated in March/ April which is similar to the time we, Jamaicans celebrate this holiday.
N.B. Epiphany is also known as Three King's Day. It is celebrated on January 6th. This holiday is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God in his Son as human as Jesus Christ.
The statue of the Virgin Mary (Altagracia)
The long Semana Santa procession going down Calle Isabel la Catolica in the Colonial City.
The Semana Santa procession band dressed as Roman Soldiers
People carrying a representation of the cross of Christ
Dominicans have their traditional dishes they prepare for Holy Week. Since many people do not eat meat during this time fish and seafood are very popular. Potato Salad Dominican style is a favorite. The most popular dish is called habichuelas con dulce or Sweet Beans and usually can be found in every home throughout the country. It is a mixture of red beans, condensed milk, spices and other ingredients served cold pudding style. Generally, these dishes are made in large quantities to serve all who might visit and to share with the neighbours.
During this holiday, the first day is Ash Wednesday which is also known as Miércoles de ceniza. Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos). On Holy Thursday (Jueves Santo) morning is the Chrism Mass (Misa Crismal) and in the evening is the Mass of the Lord's Supper, accompanied by the washing of feet and a procession. At noon on Good Friday (Viernes Santo) is the Sermon on the Seven Words. Holy Saturday (Sabado Santo) an Easter Vigil is held from around 11pm until dawn. Then on Easter Sunday (Domingo de Resurrección/Domingo de Pascua) there is an Easter Mass at noon.
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