Preparatory Transfers

In the days leading up to the Great Passion Procession ‘Lucena Vive la Pasión’, the town will experience moments of particular significance with the preparatory transfers of some of the participating devotional images from their churches of origin to their designated points of processional departure, as not all of them will begin the Great Passion Procession from their canonical seats. The devotional images to be transferred are as follows: Our Lady of Solitude, Our Father Jesus of the Humility and Our Father Jesus of the Valley. In addition, Our Lady of Aracelii, who will preside over this historic occasion, will descend from her Royal Sanctuary. 

These processions, many of which take place during the evening or at night, offer the faithful and visitors the opportunity to admire at close quarters the rich artistic heritage of Holy Week in Lucena within a more intimate and contemplative setting. Each preparatory transfer becomes an event rich in symbolism, offering an experience of closeness that stands in marked constrast with the solemnity of the Great Passion Procession

For many members of the brotherhoods, accompanying their titular devotional image on this preparatory transfer is a unique opportunity to pray, give thanks and prepare spirituallyfor the great day. In addition, these preparatory transfers help create an atmosphere of anticipation throughtout the town, enganging entire neighbourhoods in welcoming the devotional images. In this way, Lucena will begin, step by step, to write the opening chapter of a day that will be forever etched in its history.

Solemn Jubilee Mass

On the eve of the Great Passion Procession, Friday 26th September at 8.30 pm, Lucena will experience a moment of profound spiritual significance with the celebration of the Solemn Jubilee Mass at the Major Parish Church of Saint Matthew the Apostle, the town’s principal church. The Eucharistic celebration will be presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Córdoba, the Most Reverend Jesús Fernández González, who will impart the Jubilee Blessing to all those present. The liturgy will  also be accompanied by the Coral Lucentina, which will perform Lorenzo Perosi’s ‘Missa Secunda Pontificalis’, together with other sacred works, according to the following programme: Lauda Jerusalem, by Theodore Decker (Procession) Kyrie; Espera en Dios, que volverás a alabarlo, by Víctor Nájera (Psalm 42); Alleluia, by Jacques Berthier; Ave Maria, by Edward Elgar (Offertory); Sanctus – Benedictus; Agnus Dei; Pan de vida nueva, by Marco Frisina, and Ave Verum, by Philip Stopford (Communion); Christus vincit! – Laudes Regiae, arranged by Víctor Nájera (Conclusion). The choir will be conducted by Víctor Nájera Sánchez.

This liturgical celebration will be attended by the officers of the Agrupación de Cofradías of Lucena, together with the Heads of the brotherhoods, governing boards and representatives of the town’s Passion brotherhoods. All the faithful and devotees are likewise invited to participate in this Mass, conceived as a great gathering of prayer, communion and thanksgiving within the framework of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year.

The celebration takes on particular significance as it is held on the eve of the historic Great Passion Procession.It is also intended as a call to interior renewal, reconciliation and the full living of the Gospel, placing particular emphasis on the values of hope, fraternity and the love of God.

With this Jubilee Mass, Lucena will open the doors to an unforgettable weekend in which faith and devotion will unite with art and heritage, projecting the very essence of its Holy Week to the world.

Solemn Miserere in Honour of Our Father Jesus the Nazarene

Every Friday of the year, without exception, the faithful and devotees of Our Father Jesus the Nazarene gather to take part in the traditional Miserere, celebrated at the Church of Saint Peter Martyr. During the Miserere, the Choir of the Venerable Archconfraternity of Our Father Jesus the Nazarene takes part. During Lent, the Solemn ‘Miserere’ is preceded by the Brotherhood of Drummers of Lucena, which performs the Call of the Brotherhood Members, making its way through the streets of Lucena with the traditional rhythms of the Lucena drum and the torralbo until reaching the Chapel of Our Father Jesus the Nazarene. Upon their arrival, Our Father Jesus the Nazarene welcomes them to the Solemn Miserere and the singing of the Song of Forgiveness, performed by the choir of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Christ of the Blood. In addition, on Passion Sunday, following the Devout ‘Besapié’ before the devotional image, the Solemn Miserere is also performed prior to the Lord’s blessing. Likewise, the Solemn Miserere is also performed on Good Friday before the blessing of Our Father Jesus the Nazarene at 8.00 am in Plaza Nueva, and again in the late morning in the Paseo del Coso. 

On Friday, 26th September, at 9.15 pm, the eve of the Great Passion Procession, there will be an exceptional opportunity to experience this traditional Miserere with particular devotion, as part of the preparations for such a distinguished event. Its deeply moving and prayerful performance will serve as the spiritual prelude to this great occasion bringing together members of the brotherhood, devotees and the faithful around Our Father Jesus the Nazarene. It will undoubtedly be a unique opportunity to experience the profound richness of Lucena’s tradition and to renew one’s faith

Opening of Churches and Sanctuaries 

From the afternoon of Friday, 26th September, Lucena’s churches will open their doors to reveal the sacred devotional images already enthroned on their processional thrones, richly adorned with floral arrangements, on the eve of the Great Passion Procession “Lucena Vive la Pasión”. It will be a unique opportunity to admire these true masterpieces of religious imagery and brotherhood craftsmanship at close quarters before they make their way through the streets during the historic procession on 27th September.

The churches will also remain open throughout the morning of Saturday, 27th September, giving the people of Lucena and visitors alike a valuable opportunity for quiet contemplation and prayer before the devotional images. It is, in effect, a veritable devotional museum spread throughout the town, , where each brotherhood will showcase the splendour of its heritage with great care.

In addition, owing to the presence of Mary Most Holy of Araceli in the Major Parish Church of Saint Matthew the Apostle, the church will observe the following opening hours throughout the week, from Sunday, 21st September: Monday to Friday, from 7.00 am to 1.30 pm and from 6.00 pm to 9.30 pm. On Sunday, 21st September, the church will be open from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm and from 6.00 pm to 9.30 pm.

CHURCH OPENING TIMES FOR FRIDAY 26th AND SATURDAY 27th SEPTEMBER

• Major Parish Church of Saint Matthew the Apostle. Friday: 7.00 am-1.30 pm and 6.00 pm-9.30 pm // Saturday: 8.30 am-1.00 pm.
• Parish Church of Saint James the Apostle. Friday: 9.00 am-1.30 pm and 5.30 pm-8.00 pm // Saturday: 9.00 am-1.30 pm.
• Parish Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Friday: 10.00 am-1.30 pm and 6.00 pm-9.00 pm // Saturday: 10.00 am-1.00 pm.
• Franciscan Convent Church of Mother of God Friday: 6.00 pm-9.00 pm // Saturday: 9.00 am-1.00 pm.
• Church of Saint Peter Martyr and Chapel of Our Father Jesus the Nazarene. Friday: 6.00 pm-9.30 pm // Saturday: 9.30 am-1.00 pm.
• Trinitarian Hermitage of God the Father. Saturday: 10.30 am-2.00 pm.
• Chapel of the Philippians Friday: 5.00 pm-10.00 pm // Saturday: 10.00 am-2.00 pm.

IMPORTANT: Visitors are kindly requested to respect the celebration of Mass during their visit to the churches.