Herencia has released the complete schedule for its Holy Week 2026, one of the year’s most anticipated events due to its spiritual significance, cultural value, and the way it transforms the town for several days. From Friday, March 27 to Sunday, April 5, the town will once again experience a packed program of worship, Stations of the Cross, and processions, where parishes, convents, and brotherhoods create an agenda rooted in tradition and reflection.
The program begins during Lent with preparatory events—brotherhood masses, quinarios, septenarios, and proclamations—and culminates in the central days with street processions, Holy Services, and the Easter Vigil. Below, we outline the schedule for this edition, highlighting key times and major events.
Before Holy Week: Lent and Preparatory Events
The days leading up to Holy Week include many activities focused on the brotherhood and parish:
- March 1-5: Quinario in honor of Jesus de Medinaceli (rosary at 6:30 PM and mass at 7:00 PM).
- Friday, March 6: Stations of the Cross for Jesus de Medinaceli (departure at 8:00 PM and arrival at 9:30 PM).
- Thursday, March 13, and Friday, March 14: “24 Hours for the Lord” (confessions on the 14th at 7:30 PM).
- Friday, March 20: Stations of the Cross for Redemption (departure at 9:30 PM and arrival at 10:30 PM).
- March 20-27: Dolores septenario in honor of the Virgin of Sorrows (at 7:00 PM).
- Saturday, March 28: Holy Week proclamation for 2026 (at 6:00 PM, in the Municipal Auditorium).
- Tuesday, March 31: Mass for the deceased of the Holy Burial (at 8:00 PM, accompanied by the Alcázar de San Juan Polifonic Choir).
Main Procession Schedule in Herencia
The Holy Week celebrations in Herencia particularly focus on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, featuring several parades that share an “official route” and involve hundreds of participants, including brotherhoods, musicians, and spectators.
Procession Schedule and Times
| Date | Procession | Departure Point | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri. March 27 | Procession of Dolors (Our Lady of Sorrows) | Immaculate Conception Parish | (as per the itinerary) |
| Sun. March 29 | Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (“La Borriquilla”) | San Bartolomé Hermitage | 10:45 AM |
| Thu. April 2 | Passion Procession (Most Holy Christ of Mercy and Arrest) | Christ Hermitage | 8:20 PM |
| Thu. April 2 | Passion Procession (Jesus de Medinaceli and Most Holy Mary of the Assumption) | Labradora Hermitage | 8:45 PM |
| Thu. April 2 | Passion Procession (Brotherhood of “El Santo”) | San Bartolomé Hermitage | 9:00 PM |
| Fri. April 3 | Procession of the 7 Saints (Jesus Nazareno, Bitter and Saint John) | Labradora Hermitage | 10:00 AM |
| Fri. April 3 | Procession of the 7 Saints (Christ of Mercy and Arrest) | Christ Hermitage | 10:15 AM |
| Fri. April 3 | Calvary Procession (Lord of the Afflicted and Solitude) | San Bartolomé Hermitage | 7:00 PM |
| Fri. April 3 | Procession of the Burial of Christ (Holy Burial and Sorrows) | Immaculate Conception Parish | 9:30 PM |
| Sun. April 5 | Procession of the Resurrected (Jesus Nazareno, Bitter and Saint John) | Labradora Hermitage | 10:00 AM |
| Sun. April 5 | Procession of the Resurrected (Brotherhood of the Holy Burial) + Meeting | Parish / Plaza de España | 10:00 AM (meeting at 11:30 AM) |
Note: several processions indicate the “entry into the official route” and the timing for it per the published program.
Highlighted Stations of the Cross: March and Holy Wednesday
The Stations of the Cross remain one of the most repeated practices on the calendar, with specific calls:
- Stations of the Cross for Jesus de Medinaceli (Friday, March 6): departure at 8:00 PM from the Immaculate Conception Parish and arrival at 9:30 PM at the Assumption Hermitage.
- Stations of the Cross for Redemption (Friday, March 20): departure at 9:30 PM from the Convent Church of La Merced and arrival at 10:30 PM.
- Community Stations of the Cross (Wednesday, April 1): at 11:00 PM, route through Plaza de España and the Parish.
Main Worship Services at Parish and Convent
Alongside the processions, the program includes the main worship services in the two major religious venues of the town:
- Immaculate Conception Parish: readings and lauds (various days), confessions on Holy Thursday (from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM), Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Holy Services on Good Friday, and Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 4 at 11:00 PM.
- Royal Convent of La Merced: blessing of palms on Palm Sunday at 8:45 AM (Plaza de la Virgen), confessions on Holy Thursday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and specific celebrations of the Triduum, along with Masses on Easter Sunday.
With this calendar, Herencia prepares for a Holy Week where the tradition of the streets coexists with the liturgy of the temples, with each brotherhood contributing its identity and journey to a program that sets the rhythm of the town for over a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Holy Week 2026 start and end in Herencia?
The main program runs from Friday, March 27 to Sunday, April 5, 2026, with preparatory events from February and March.
What time is the Burial of Christ Procession in Herencia in 2026?
According to the program, the Burial of Christ Procession departs on Friday, April 3 at 9:30 PM from the Immaculate Conception Parish.
Where does the Resurrection Meeting take place in Herencia?
The program includes the Meeting on Sunday, April 5 at Plaza de España at 11:30 AM.
What processions are there on Good Friday in Herencia and what time do they start?
On Friday, April 3, among others, there is the Procession of the 7 Saints (departing at 10:00 AM and 10:15 AM), the Calvary Procession (at 7:00 PM), and the Burial of Christ (at 9:30 PM).
Check the official program on paper if you have any questions or for potential errors or omissions.
Spanish post in fechas, cultos y procesiones del 27 de marzo al 5 de abril
