New-York tribune., 1905-04-16
HOLY WEEK IN MEXICO.
The Burning of Judas a Prominent
Feature.

,,raccrs cmed rider argues to himself a1ter
,bir4v-6ya niles in the saddle and a Mexican
saddle at that.
From summer heat one ascends to stlmulat-
ing altitude of almost eight thousand feet eac"
foct of The precariOus ascent revealing iresH
beauties of scenery in the vistas aheau or /"
the panOramic view of the great plain below
with its lakes and villages bathed In shiitihe
opalescent tints-
TuIs (and IT is music TO hear the natives soIt-
~ .rticuIate the word. with a slight lisp on the
IN 50 the site of an old iron industry. which
dominates the life of the place. Even the
schoo,noaster and the padre are on the COM
pany's payroll
The igiesia Cchurch) stands on slight emil
nence overlooking lake and seemingly eiiui7SS
stretches of pine forests. and there one may
hohoId religious worship with full measure Oh
native color and devotion
On Palm Sunday strange procesSlOh Ho"0
out OF the little edifice. The children Win their
simpls garments Immediately cIeah AOiiI -
cot,rsav,s laundering in the lake, carry each a
hit of green, In vivid contrast to the luii Oiue
- hozos OF the girls. or the white ATTIRE OF the
-. ,,onx of whom wear also gayiy colored
hla,tstx hung gracefully over their shoulders
7hass humble worshippers invest the custom
With . rentIe impressiveness quite unimaglnaOle
untn witnessed
ON Good Friday platform, shaded by can
opy Of pine boughs, Is erected, which Is Inade
the objective point of a special procession coth-
posed OF the male population They are accom-
panied by brass band, and the front rank
carries a nfesize representation OF Jesus pear
Ing a large cross. Those Immediately surround
ing the image bear lighted candles. Slowly and
soiemnly the participants march TO the can
opied destination
la hxxyf ffaa mad ire q
eoursa comprising the feminine portion of the
congregation, supporting figure of the Virgin.
her wa1en features portraying moro or less sue
cessfuIly the tender agony Of a tortured moth
eT's heart
The religious fervor of the moment is in
tense as the multitude kneels in front OF the
Improyissd pulpit OF green to listen while
visiting padre delivers a sermon At its close
the PROFESSIONS return In reverse order to the
church
scarcely have they passed than small
boys unable to endure moment more of re-
preston. begin surreptitously throwing dust
In one another's faces as a reactiOnary measure
II n a swift descent to earth from spiritual
hcIghsa where they breathe uneasily.
The following morning there occurs the cere-
rrOny OF blessing water. unique spectacle re-
sembIing a floral festival. Every child in the
village comes to church carrying receptacle
OF some sort (eVen old beer bOttleSl filled with
the pure water of Tuls and garlanded with
wreaths Of roses pansies or carnations. com
mon green glass bottle adorned with pansies
or white asters held in place by a ribbon OF
violet paper becomes artistic creation under
the deft touch of Mexican fingers.
The padre, attended by his acolytes, gives
short sermon, and with radiant cOuntenance
pronounces a blessing upon the eagerly up
lifted vessels.
Outside the sacred edifice meanwhile prepara-
tions are making for the burning of Judas. a
eelsbration noteworthy for its popularity. Early
In the day, near La Casa de Dios'' blouse Of
GEO they set up efigy of the treacherous
disciple its attire nondescript its head in re-
ality, q calabaza. A cheap cigar is the finish
ing stigma, intended to indicate that the villain
was far from being a gentlemanly One-
BY and by the despised disciple is placed
upon the most dsreputable looking beast OF
burden that can be found. one that has long
cefrauded the vultures out Of their obvious
rights volunteer line OF enthusiasts speedily
forms the inevitable brass band falls in, and
ali parade the streets. few fireworks are ex-
ploded, causing the poor old horse to buck.
and the consequent agitation of its rider is
greeted with hOwls OF delight
The crowd collects in front of the church at
the conclusion of la misa (the mass) and listens
20 a harangue from the schoolmaster. who
describes the career Of the arch villain at whose
obseOuies they are about to assist. Many small