HOLY TUESDAY
Ancient, Venerable and Augustinian Brotherhood of the Most Holy Christ of Love, Our Father Jesus Captive, Our Lady of Remedies and Saint John the Evangelist. |
Historical Background
The brotherhood has a long history closely associated with devotion to the Santísimo Cristo del Amor (Most Holy Christ of Love) and with its chapel in Calle San Juan. The municipal record particularly highlights the reconstruction and recovery of its artistic and devotional heritage following the fire of 1981, as well as the subsequent restoration and improvement of its sacred images and processional furnishings.
The brotherhood’s later development has been closely linked both to the consolidation of its religious worship and to the preservation and enrichment of the heritage that defines it today. Its current canonical seat is the Chapel of Cristo del Amor, at Calle San Juan, 8, 11403 Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz), from where it continues to play an active role in the religious life of the local community. The brotherhood makes its annual penitential procession on Holy Tuesday, forming part of Jerez’s traditional Holy Week celebrations.
Its foundation and subsequent development, the blessing of new sacred images and successive restorations reflect different stages in an unbroken tradition of devotion. Together, these milestones illustrate the brotherhood’s evolution from its origins to its present-day form, while preserving the sacred dedications that remain at the heart of its religious identity. This historical journey helps explain the distinctive character with which the brotherhood takes its place today within Holy Week in Jerez.
Sacred Images and Patron Saints
The Santísimo Cristo del Amor (Most Holy Christ of Love) was created by Ramón Chaveli in 1939 and blessed in 1940. The image underwent restoration in 1983. The brotherhood’s official title also includes Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo (Our Father Jesus Captive), Nuestra Señora de los Remedios (Our Lady of Remedies) and Saint John the Evangelist.
Its full official name is “Antigua, Venerable y Agustina Hermandad del Santísimo Cristo del Amor, Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo, Nuestra Señora de los Remedios y San Juan Evangelista”. These sacred figures embody the brotherhood’s principal devotions and provide the religious focus of both its regular worship and its public processions.
Where a misterio, or sculptural group depicting a scene from the Passion of Christ, is present, the image of Jesus is accompanied by other figures that bring the Gospel episode to life. In simpler compositions, attention is focused more directly on the expression and symbolism of the principal image. The image of the Virgin Mary, where present, conveys the sorrowful, maternal or glorious character associated with her particular dedication, while the brotherhood’s other sacred figures broaden the spiritual meaning of the ensemble. Together, these elements form a coherent devotional programme that gives the brotherhood a distinctive and immediately recognisable identity within Holy Week in Jerez.
General information
Home Church: Chapel of Cristo del Amor, at Calle San Juan, 8, 11403 Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz)
Website: https://hdaddelamorjerez.com/
Pictures / more info (Spanish)
