Traditions and faith intertwine at Easter

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By Caribe Insider
Holy Week celebrates traditions and faith in the countries of Central America, South America and North America, where although their populations are of diverse cultures a large part professes the Catholic religion.
In these times when the world is affected by the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus some of the traditions such as the celebration of processions have restrictions, as well as the assiduous visits to churches by the faithful, The intention is to avoid agglomerations that have an impact on the increasing number of COVID-19 infections.
However, although these are atypical days, Lent and Holy Week are assumed with great devotion, so liturgical celebrations reach homes through social networks and television, The Christian tradition of not eating meat is maintained and fish and seafood are the ones that integrate the typical dishes together with sweets made for the occasion.
During Holy Week in Latin American countries that profess Catholicism, religiosity and cultural diversity gave rise to a gastronomy based on Hispanic heritage, indigenous flavors and African contribution. Cod is part of the menu, along with dried or smoked fish, while sweet angel hair, majarete, torrejas or rice with milk sprinkled with cinnamon is served.
Despite the pandemic, in many colonial streets it is still a tradition to create colorful carpets of sawdust dyed in various colors, or of various materials such as sand, mineral dust or flowers that represent religious and everyday images. It was on that path that the processions passed in times when the scourge of the new coronavirus did not exist.
The windows of the houses are adorned with hanging tapestries, beautifully embroidered, with religious allusions, reserved especially for the occasion.
This year, the traditional placement of ash on the forehead, due to the pandemic will not be part of the traditional Ash Wednesday, nor will the phrase "Remember that you are dust and dust you will return," to each of the parishioners who come to the temple and participate of this Catholic rite.
Nor will Good Friday, as it has become customary in many places in America, be a staged representation of the judgment and death of Christ, dressed as Romans, Pontius Pilate and other important figures, and giving life to the last days of Jesus of Nazareth.
In this 2021 what the Catholic believers will ask most in Holy Week will be to succeed in overcoming the pandemic and that each one according to their possibilities make pious actions and with a simple language transmit an evangelizing message, a hopeful message in the current situation.