. JANUARY 2013 BACK ISSUE San Luis Potosí, México   by Eduardo Gonzales Every year, on Friday during Holy week, the streets of San Luis Potosí, México turn into a great stage where the Procesión del Silencio takes place, one of most important catholic traditions in México. Thousands of visitors come from all over the country and all over the world to witness this procession.  At eight o'clock the sound from a trumpet signifies the start and the doors of the Templo del Carmen open to nearly two thousand people grouped into 27 Cofradías or brotherhoods.  Each Cofradía, dressed in their distinctive colours, carries one of the Misterios o Estaciones, stations that represent every step of the passion of Christ. They march for about three hours, many of them barefoot and some with chains around their feet, with solemnity and in absolute silence only broken from time to time by the sound of the drums and trumpets they carry. At the end of the procession, carried by forty men, comes an effigy of the Virgin Mary.  She is surrounded by candles reflecting her pain and sorrow for the death of her son. A nazareno, wearing his distinctive clothes, ready for the Procesión. The Roman Guard getting ready. The figure of Christ, that the Cofradía de Montecillo will carry in the Procesión, is taken to the temple. The Cofradía of Montecillo marches from their temple to the Plaza del Carmen to take their place in the parade. The Cofradía of Montecillo. All the participants gather beside the Templo del Carmen a few hours before the procession to make final arrangements. Gathering beside the Templo del Carmen. All the participants gather besides the Templo del Carmen. The Procesión takes place in absolute silence, participants march very slow with solemnity. The procession. The procession. The procession. The procession. At the very end of the procession appears la Virgen de la Soledad or La Dolorosa, carried by about forty men. Back to current issue