Annual Catholic procession concludes amid Lenten season

[Photo; Ricaela Diputado]

The two-day annual Catholic “Procession of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ” concluded yesterday, drawing devotees and spectators along the parade route.

The event is held in the period leading up to the Lenten season, which traditionally begins with Ash Wednesday.

The celebration originated from ancient Jewish traditions and Roman funeral customs dating back to the 13th century, honoring Eucharistic adoration, particularly following the establishment of the Corpus Christi feast in 1264 to publicly affirm Christ’s real presence.

Speaking on the sidelines, Father Daniel Ribeiro told TDM, “I think it is a very valuable tradition, culturally and also religiously. The older people remember their parents, remember a bit of their history. It is also a way for Catholics – Macau is a Catholic city, with Portuguese traditions – to publicly express our faith.”

[Photo; Ricaela Diputado]

Fr. Ribeiro said the event creates a moment of community unity, adding, “Undoubtedly, you see Filipinos, Portuguese, Macanese, and people coming from Hong Kong.”

During the event, residents and visitors participated in a public walk of faith on the first day, from St. Augustine’s Church to the Macau Cathedral for an overnight vigil.

The next day, the procession returned to St. Augustine’s Church, where clergy and faithful marched together, making stops at symbolic Stations of the Cross around the city while carrying the statue of Christ bearing the Cross.

On both days, the procession was conducted along closed-off streets near the church, with participants wearing deep purple robes while devotees followed behind, and tourists and residents watched from the sidelines.

The event, which was free of admission, began on February 21 at 7 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Church and continued the following day at 4 p.m. from the Macau Cathedral to St. Augustine’s Church. Ricaela Diputado