After a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional
processions throughout Downtown Lima will resume next month.
The corresponding routes were presented to the press on Saturday.
Amid great expectation, Lord of Miracles Brotherhood Senior Administrator Jose Soto —joined by Lima Mayor Miguel Romero, Lima Archbishop Carlos Castillo, and other ecclesiastical authorities— detailed that 5 processions have been scheduled for October (4) and November (1).
"We are happy to welcome our Lord of Miracles so that he can tour our streets in the beloved city of Lima. He plays a leading role in our festivity. We had not been able to take him out in procession over these two years that have passed," he commented excitedly.
Soto explained that at all times they will rely on the support from ambulances —both in the front and back of the group of people who will carry the platform— because at all times "the safety of the faithful, of the brother carriers, as well as of the singing sisters and incense burners, will be sought, both at the entrance and exit" of the procession's main zone.
Dates
The first procession will take place on October 8th, followed by those scheduled for October 18th (Tuesday), 19th (Wednesday), and 28th (Friday). The last event is planned for November 1st (Tuesday).
It will not pass through the Main Square
Although the sacred Lord of Miracles will not pass through the Main Square this year, Lima Mayor Miguel Romero announced that he and other metropolitan municipality officials will approach the image to award it the city's coat of arms —made of flowers— at a certain point of the procession.
"On this occasion, our municipality (members) will go out to meet the Lord, and we will not fail to offer him the honors he deserves," he pointed out.
The mayor announced that the municipality will provide security and medical assistance across the five routes, adding that the Municipality of Lima has approved the design of routes.
"The streets of our city will always be open for our beloved patron, because he gives us the strength to continue working towards the construction of a caring society," he emphasized.
Like Jesus in Galilee
The Archbishop of Lima, Monsignor Carlos Castillo, recalled that the procession of the sacred image had not taken place due to the advance of the pandemic. "Although it was very difficult to make that decision, it was the most realistic one at the time."
"That break has been very fruitful, because we knew how to substitute it creatively with even virtual processions; people used to call one another (…) via zoom, and we used to stay in our homes; this time has allowed us to come out of the depths of our pain with flying colors, but without forgetting our deceased brothers and sisters," he stated joined by the Chaplain of the Discalced Nazarene Carmelites Monastery, Father Alfredo Amesti; and Brotherhood Spiritual Director, Presbyter Humberto Guisti.
According to the Archbishop of Lima, this reunion with the Lord of Miracles image will revive the hope of all Peruvians —especially those who will be able to participate in the upcoming processions.
"The Lord is approaching for a reunion (…) it is almost like when Jesus walked through the streets of Galilee 20 centuries ago and awakened the hope of that people and of humanity," he said.
Moreover, the priest argued that the resumption of processions will grant everyone a long-awaited closeness, the expected meeting and unity, to which learning to make decisions jointly must be added.
About Lord of Miracles
Known as the Christ of Pachacamilla, Lord of Miracles constitutes Peru's most heavily attended religious festivity and is celebrated by all strata of society in homage to the Crucified Christ.
This image is a replica of a centuries-old mural of the crucifixion painted by a slave in the 17th century.
The Lord of Miracles became a motive for worship after the wall on which it was painted miraculously survived a destructive earthquake unscathed.