Magna Pasionista (Great Passion Procession)

Introduction

On 27 September 2025, Lucena will witness a historic event: the Procesión Magna Pasionista (Great Passion Procession) ‘Lucena Vive la Pasión’, organised to mark the 2025 Jubilee Holy Year and coinciding with World Tourism Day.

A day that will mark a turning point in the town’s history as faith found expression in every step and every gaze, filling the streets with spirituality and devotion.

A manifestation of popular religiosity, transmitted through the centuries, joining Lucena’s artistic heritage and the unique tradition of the ‘santería’ to proclaim to the world the deepest expression of the identity of this town in the Subbética region of Córdoba.

Lucena’s Holy Week cannot be explained: it must be felt

The living Heritage of the ‘Santería’ (Asset of Cultural Interest, BIC)

Lucena will open its streets, its history, and its soul to the world, revealing the unique character of its Holy Week, declared a Festival of Tourist Interest in Andalusia (Interés Turístico de Andalucía) and distinguished by the ‘santería’, recently recognised as a Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural Nacional, BIC). This unique ritual tradition —carrying the processional thrones on the shoulder, with faces uncovered, under the direction of the ‘manijero’ and to the rhythm of the drum and the ‘torralbo’— constitutes a social, artistic, and anthropological phenomenon that trascends the religious sphere. It is a living liturgy, transmitted from one generation to the next, bringing together aesthetics, discipline and emotion, and making each ‘cuadrilla’ of ‘santeros’ the guardian of a centuries-old legacy. Its steady, measured progress not only honours the memory of those who shaped this tradition, but also strengthens the bonds of identity and community, making Lucena a truly unique benchmark in the world of Holy Week.

18 Processional Thrones from Lucena’s 17 Passion Brotherhoods

Organised by the Agrupación de Cofradías, and sponsored by Lucena City Council and the Provincial Council of Córdoba, the Great Passion Procession (Procesión Magna) will bring together 18 processional thrones from the town’s 17 Passion brotherhoods, presenting a chronological journey through the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. Presided over Our Most Holy Mary of Araceli (María Santísima de Araceli), Patroness of Lucena and the Andalusian countryside, as well as the town’s perpetual Mayoress, it will stand as a unique expression of popular piety and of the town’s devotional, historical and artistic heritage, featuring  sacred images dating from the 16th century to the present day. A work by the Lucena artist Víctor Manuel Manjón-Cabeza serves as the official poster for the Great Passion Procession, whose official logo was designed by the Lucena graphic designer Lourdes Flores. Held as a part of the Jubilee Holy Year and coinciding with World Tourism Day, the event will place Lucena on the international stage as a benchmark for tradition, art, and shared faith.

The Lucena ‘Torralbo’ and Drums: distinctives elements

Alongside the distinctive sounds of the Lucena drum and the ‘torralbo’, the town’s unique sound heritage, the procession will also feature the musical accompaniment of leading bands, including Agrupación Musical Virgen de los Reyes (Seville), Banda de Cornetas y Tambores Ntra. Sra. de la Victoria ‘Cigarreras’ (Seville), Agrupación Musical Ntro. Padre Jesús de la Redención (Seville), together with the local bands Agrupación Musical Stmo. Cristo de la Humillación and the Sociedad Didáctico Musical Banda de Música de Lucena. All of this will further enhace the rich sound heritage of a town that also resonates through its musical heritage, where the ‘Toque de Silencio’, the Brotherhood of Mourning Drummers (Hermandad de Tambores Enlutados), the Brotherhood of Lucena Drummers (Hermandad de Tambores de Lucena) and the ‘saeta’, performed by renowned local and visiting ‘cantaores’, will also form part of the celebration. An unforgettable soundscape that will envelop visitors in a unique atmosphere, where every note will echo centuries of history and faith.

More than Six Hours of Procession – Eight Churches

The Official Processional Route (Carrera Oficial) will begin at 19:00 hours on Alcaide Street and end at the junction of El Peso and El Agua Street. Plaza Nueva will serve as the event’s central stage, with 1.853 seats, available in a controlled-access viewing area. All proceeds will be donated to the Parish Caritas of Lucena, giving the event a charitable dimension that reflects its commitment to serving others and caring for those most in need, in keeping with the spirit of the Jubilee Holy Year as called for by the Catholic Church. A designated standing area will also be available in Plaza Nueva, for spectators without reserved seating, provided that the restricted areas of the Official Processional Route are respected. 

Earlier, from 18:25 hours,the processional cortèges  will begin, continuing until after midnight, with more than 1.300 participants taking part in the Official Processional Cortège. The churches from which the different processional routes will begin are: Major Parish of Saint Matthew the Apostle (Iglesia Mayor Parroquial de San Mateo Apóstol), Parish Church of Saint Dominic de Guzmán (Iglesia Parroquial de Santo Domingo de Guzmán), Parish Church of Saint James the Apostle (Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago Apóstol), Convent Church of Mother of God, of the Reverend Fathers Franciscan (Iglesia Conventual Madre de Dios de los RR. PP. Franciscanos), Church of Saint Peter Martyr (Iglesia de San Pedro Mártir), Chapel of Our Father Jesus the Nazarene (Capilla de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno), Filipensas Chapel (Capilla de las Filipensas) and Hermitage of God the Father (Ermita de Dios Padre) Earlier, at 17:30 hours, the Brotherhood of Lucena Drummers will perform a ‘paseíllo’ along the entire Official Processional Route. 

Lucena shows itself to the World in the Jubilee Holy Year

The Great Passion Procession will demonstrate how the town of Lucena transforms its faith into a universal heritage, presenting itself to the world during the Jubilee Holy Year ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, celebrated in commemoration of the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Jewish tradition, so deeply rooted in Lucena’s history, refers to the Jubilee Years, particularly in Chapter 25 of the Book of Leviticus. It associates them with times of the restoration of land and the liberation of slaves, while Catholic Church embraces them as years of the forgiveness of sins, indulgences and reconciliation, connecting them to significant events such as this Great Passion Procession, through which Lucena joins the celebration of the Jubilee Holy Year, especially through its expressions of prayer, liturgy, profession of faith, and charity. It also serves as an expression of fraternity among all of Lucena’s Passion brotherhoods and confraternities, strengthening the bonds of unity and faith that bind them together.

‘Santería’ and Holy Week in Lucena

Lucena’s Holy Week dates back to the 16th century, as do many others throughout Andalusia, although earlier precedents also exist. Today, it is a driving force behind the town’s economic and social development, sustaining an outstanding heritage and renowned workshops specialising in gold and silversmithing, bronze work embroidery, religious imagery, and woodcarving, among other traditional crafts. For its part, the art of the ‘santería’ — unique in the world, with an anthropological, ethnographic, social and cultural value that trascends conventional classifications — has been present since the early 20th century, while its origins can be traced back to the influence of Málaga and the ‘paso correón’. It is a living intangible heritage, transmitted orally from one generation to the next.  Lucena is a founding member of the European Network of Holy Week Celebrations and Path of the Passion, and this Great Passion Procession provides a strategic opportunity to present to the world a living tradition that is deeply rooted and offers a model that can inspire other communities and Holy Week celebrations. 

Must-See Moments of the Great Passion Procession (Magna Pasionista) 

  • Salida Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Columna —estrena el cordón de oro que ata las manos del Señor— y la Banda de las Cigarreras desde la Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago Apóstol
  • Llegada de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno a su Capilla junto a la Banda Virgen de los Reyes, donde impartirá la bendición y se interpretará una saeta
  • Paso por la calle Flores de Nuestro Padre Jesús Caído
  • Tambores enlutados y toque de Silencio acompañando al Santísimo Cristo de la Salud y Misericordia
  • Torralbo que anuncia el paso de Nuestro Padre Jesús en su Entrada Triunfal a Jerusalén con la Banda de la Humillación abriendo el cortejo
  • Salida de Nuestro Padre Jesús del Valle, estrenando la imagen de Simón de Cirene —del escultor lucentino José Daniel Henares—, de la Iglesia Conventual Madre de Dios de los RR.PP. Franciscanos (no es su sede canónica)
  • Regreso de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad a la Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago por las calles de su barrio
  • Regreso a la Iglesia Conventual Madre de Dios de los RR.PP. Franciscanos de Nuestra Señora de las Angustias Virgen de Piedra —estrena cruz, escalera y sudario— que este año cumple el 225 aniversario de su llegada a Lucena
  • Regreso a la Iglesia Conventual Madre de Dios de los RR.PP. Franciscanos de Nuestro Padre Jesús Resucitado, tallado por el escultor lucentino Francisco Javier López del Espino y acompañado por la Banda de Música de Lucena
  • Tradicional ‘Vuelta la Llave’ (calle San Francisco con calle Maristas) de Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Caridad y el Santísimo Cristo de la Humillación
  • Paso de Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Crucifixión por el lateral de la Plaza de Aguilar precedido de la Banda de la Redención
  • Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Humildad de regreso a su templo, la Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora del Carmen
  • Salida de las ermitas de Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Bondad (Capilla de las Filipensas) —estrena túnica bordada en oro— y Nuestro Padre Jesús en el Sagrado Lavatorio (Ermita de Dios Padre)
  • Salida de María Santísima del Mayor Dolor y Nuestro Padre Jesús Orando en el Huerto de la Iglesia Parroquial de Santo Domingo en la Plaza Cristo de la Sangre
  • Característico paso ‘coleao’ del Santísimo Entierro de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo
  • Presidencia de la María Santísima de Araceli, patrona de Lucena, en la Plaza Nueva vistiendo el terno que lució el día de su coronación canónica en 1948
  • Toque de tambor y cómo marca el ritmo del paso, diferente según el momento de la Pasión que refleja y si es Cristo o Virgen
  • Interpretación de saetas una vez terminada la Carrera Oficial
  • Arte de la santería: paseíllo de los santeros hasta su llegada al templo, escuchar las órdenes del manijero para levantar el trono, el siseo y toque de campana para iniciar el paso o parar, las órdenes del manijero porrillas desde fuera del paso
  • Salida de las bandas de Carrera Oficial (intersección de la calle El Peso con la calle El Agua)
  • Cuesta del Reloj: es un punto muy santero, justo a la entrada en Plaza Nueva
  • Subida de los pasos por calle Las Torres
  • El cortejo de la Procesión Magna Pasionista se abrirá con la Cruz de Guía de la Cofradía de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, obra de Pedro de Mena Gutiérrez datada en 1763

Organising Committee of the

Great Passion Procession

  • Most Illustrious The Reverend Jesús María Moriana Elvira, Episcopal Vicar for the Campiña and Ecclesiastical Adviser to the Agrupación de Cofradías of Lucena
  • Mr Antonio Díaz Serrano, President of the Agrupación de Cofradías of Lucena
  • Mr Jaime Verdú Orellana, Secretary of the Agrupación de Cofradías of Lucena
  • Mr Antonio Gómez Sabán, Officer of the Agrupación de Cofradías of Lucena
  • Mr Antonio Rueda López, Officer of the Agrupación de Cofradías of Lucena
  • Mr Aurelio Fernández García, Mayor of Lucena
  • Mr Francisco Barbancho España, Councillor for Culture and Tourism, Lucena Town Council
  • José Luis Crespillo Guardeño, Member of a brotherhood
  • Rafael Osuna Luque, Member of a brotherhood
  • Francisco Carrera Castro, Member of a brotherhood
  • Jerónimo Jiménez García, Member of a brotherhood

Head of Communications: Clara R. Baum (external adviser to the Organising Committee) 

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