In Sevilla, families wait in long lines at various churches
for a chance to kiss the foot of Jesus
or the hand of Mary.
This intimate moment
is treasured by the people of Sevilla.
It's only possible
after a statue's brought down from the altar,
and before it's hoisted atop its float.
The most revered of these encounters
is with El Gran Poder, The Great Power.
Here, Jesus, exhausted from his humiliation
and beating at the hands of his captors,
prepares to take up the cross,
an acknowledgement of the burdens we all must carry.
Rituals like these make Jesus accessible to Sevillanos,
who are visibly moved by the encounter.
All across town, churches are enlivened with ritual,
and various Marys play a prominent role.
This Mary is called "Soledad," or "solitude."
She traditionally adorns the last float of Semana Santa,
poignantly reminding people of her great loneliness
after the death of her son.
The Mary of Solitude is beloved
by those who wait for this once-a-year opportunity,
convinced she will empathize with their needs
and hear their prayers.
Preparations continue all week long.
This fraternity is putting finishing touches on its float
before it hits the street.
Men, women, and even young children
are all members of neighborhood fraternities.
For centuries, these groups were mission-based,
and today, all are still involved in social causes,
such as helping the poor.
Excitement fills the air, and so does laughter,
as flowers are prepped and arranged...
candles are set out for the penitents,
and petals are plucked for showering upon Mary
when she takes her turn parading through the city.
This is tender work, and great care is taken
to make sure that the floats are perfect in every way.
Floats with Mary
are often the most anticipated during Semana Santa,
as she is beloved for the suffering she endures
and her empathy with the people.
This Mary is known as "Estrella,"
and inside her namesake star
she carries a relic of the cross.
She'll have her moment later this evening.
Out on the crowded streets,
floats slowly make their way to the cathedral.
[ Man singing in Spanish ]
Centuries of Flamenco singers
have serenaded Mary and Jesus with love songs
as they process through the city.
Traditionally spontaneous, these passionate songs occur
when a singer is so overcome with emotion,
he must break into song.
[ Singing continues ]
[ Applause ]
As dusk settles on Sevilla,
a long line of silent, black-clad penitents
escort one of the city's most moving floats
toward the cathedral.
The float portrays the dead Jesus,
taken down from the cross
and mourned by the people who loved him most.
Among the most dramatic of the week's processions,
the float is decorated simply
with purple iris and a single red rose,
symbolizing the blood Jesus shed.
As night closes in,
penitents' candles sway like fireflies dancing in the dark.
The entire Holy Week in Spain is a glorious spectacle.
After a full day, it's hard to imagine more,
and then the Mary known as Estrella appears,
ethereal and radiant.
A shower of petals rains down upon her
as if heaven itself is thanking her
for her immense and loving sacrifice.
♪♪