Alicante's Holy Week 2025: Good Friday Processions

After the early hours of Maundy Thursday, with the processions of the Lord's death following the crucifixion, Good Friday dawns very early. From the morning, the processions of the Sentencia de Jesús and the Holy Burial take place, showcasing mourning. Thus concludes the Passion and Death of Jesus, and Alicante will once again take to the streets on Easter Sunday when the people of Alicante gather in the Old Town to witness the encounter between the Resurrected Christ and the Virgin of Joy.

This Friday begins early with one of the longest processions of Alicante's Holy Week, starting from the Church of the Immaculate in Pla. At the doors, a Roman reads the Sentencia de Jesús. Once the text of the scroll is concluded, the cornet and drum band of Our Lady of Consolation gives the first signal to start the procession.

The procession, with a prior light march from the Brotherhood's headquarters, traverses the neighborhoods of Pla, Pio XII, Carolinas Bajas, and San Antón before reaching the Official Route. Beforehand, one of the most emotional moments occurs with the encounter in the Plaza del Hospital Viejo. For those who do not wish to attend the departure, the Sentencia is also read on the Official Route.

The main image is the Sentencia de Jesús, a work by García Mengual in 2002. One of the curiosities of this Brotherhood is the disappearance of its original image, a work by sculptor Antonio Riudavets, during the 1930s.

This Brotherhood initiates the official procession of the Holy Burial, also composed of the Holy Sepulchre and the Solitude of Santa María. It departs from its canonical seat behind the San José de Carolinas school, at the headquarters of the homonymous parish. From there, its two images proceed in procession: Mater Desolata, by Juan Giner Masegosa, and the Most Holy Christ of Expiation and the Holy Spirit, by José María Leal Bernánlez, from 2018.

This artist has also crafted the new front cartouche that the brotherhood was supposed to unveil last year. However, it could not be, so its debut will take place in 2025.

After the departure, there is a penitential station at the Church of Mercy and an encounter with the Reclining Christ inside San Nicolás. These are the two most notable points of the procession. Interestingly, it is the only procession in Alicante where its members carry hand lanterns.

One of the city's most historic brotherhoods, founded in 1942, and a year later, it already had its image: the Most Holy Reclining Christ, a work of the Valencian School from 1943. Its throne was funded by the Alicante City Council, which made a donation of 5,000 pesetas. In return, the throne bears the colors of the city's coat of arms, as the Council remains a patron of the brotherhood.

This year will be special, as the throne of the Holy Sepulchre will once again display the original colors from the mid-20th century during its first outing.

Recommended points include the departure from the co-cathedral and the narrow ascent through Labradores Street.

Good Friday concludes with one of the most protocolary and institutional processions in Alicante. It does not leave its canonical seat in the Church of Santa María until a horn is sounded, known as the 'City Call' for the past ten years. Additionally, Our Lady of Solitude of Santa María is escorted by the Gala Escort of the Alicante City Council and the Municipal Symphonic Band as Custodian Knights. This procession features a significant institutional presence from local authorities, who accompany the image.

The Brotherhood celebrates this year the 25th anniversary of the unveiling of the mantle and diadem. This year, they are joined by an artistic fleur-de-lis brooch funded by the Chief Lady-in-Waiting, María de la Concepción Torregrosa Alemañ.

The procession concludes at the Basilica, its canonical seat, with words and a blessing from the Bishop of the Orihuela-Alicante diocese, Monsignor Munilla.