GOOD FRIDAY — EARLY HOURS
| Brotherhood and Confraternity of Penitents of the Five Holy Wounds of Christ, Our Father Jesus of the Way of the Cross and Mary Most Holy of Hope. |
Historical Background
The brotherhood’s historical tradition dates back to 1561, when a procession of penitents took to the streets in prayer during a period of drought and poor harvests affecting Jerez. Since then, the brotherhood has maintained a strong penitential spirituality centred on devotion to the Five Holy Wounds of Christ.
These developments reflect a gradual process of consolidation in which parish life, religious worship and the brotherhood’s public presence have reinforced one another. Its current canonical seat is the Church of San Francisco, at Plaza Esteve, 4, 11402 Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz), which remains the focal point of its religious services and devotional activities.
The brotherhood makes its annual penitential procession during the early hours of Good Friday, as part of the Holy Week celebrations in Jerez. Its history also highlights the importance of its principal sacred images and the successive conservation and restoration efforts that have helped preserve its distinctive identity. The history of the brotherhood can therefore be understood as a combination of religious devotion, institutional continuity and adaptation to the changing circumstances of each period.
Sacred Images
The brotherhood’s principal sacred images are Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Vía-Crucis (Our Father Jesus of the Way of the Cross) and María Santísima de la Esperanza (Mary Most Holy of Hope). The brotherhood’s devotional identity is centred on the Five Holy Wounds of Christ and is characterised by a particularly austere and solemn penitential style.
Its full official name is “Hermandad y Cofradía de Nazarenos de las Sagradas Cinco Llagas de Cristo, Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Vía-Crucis y María Santísima de la Esperanza”. This title brings together the different devotions that form the basis of the brotherhood’s religious life and reflects the particular role each plays within its spiritual identity.
The images of Christ and the Virgin Mary traditionally form the focus of contemplation on the Passion and the mysteries of Christ, while the brotherhood’s other sacred devotions complement its spiritual heritage. The artists responsible for these sculptures, their dates of creation, historical attributions and subsequent restorations help place them within Jerez’s rich tradition of religious processional sculpture and contribute to their distinctive artistic character. The continued veneration of these sacred images preserves the brotherhood’s collective memory and provides a lasting focus of devotion for its members and devotees throughout the year
General information
Home Church: Church of San Francisco, at Plaza Esteve, 4, 11402 Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz)
Pictures / more info (Spanish)
