This week marks the end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week for those you Catholics reading this blog. Most people believe that the only important part of holy week is Easter Sunday with mass and picnics and celebration. But many don't realize that there is an important celebration occurring many days before Easter Sunday. San Fernando Cathedral is one of San Antonio's oldest and most cherished landmarks. It is a beautiful Cathedral recently refurbished and is a amazing site to see for anyone, no matter their religion. 
Each year to mark the beginning of the end of Lent, San Fernando puts on their annual passion play starting thursday with the last supper and the arresting of Jesus in the garden. These play is not your average reenactment. The costumes and acting of those is so realistic, it is possible to get lost in the play. The play continues the following day with the elaborate demonstration of Jesus' crucifixion. The reenactment starts at the church and is moved around the area full of shouting crowds of condemners and the struggle of Jesus' walk, almost so that you feel that you are back in the streets on that day thousands of years ago. The reenactment concludes with the nailing of Jesus to the cross and the somber attitude of the meaning of this holiday, leaving you to reflect.
Two days later you would have never guessed that the same somber reenactment had occurred two days previous as the cathedral is filled to the brim of little girls in their nicest easter dresses and families brought together by the holiday and an overall joy feels the area. The celebration beginnings as the area is filled with happiness, food, and cascarones, a Mexican tradition of confetti filled eggs, as if just in time for San Antonio's Annual Fiesta!
This Holy week is an amazing time to go and see the beauty, tradition and cultures of this city. Maybe it will help you learn your way around downtown for next weekends infamous Fiesta celebrations!!
Beautiful photos.
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