HOLY TUESDAY
Brotherhood and Confraternity of Penitents of the Most Holy Christ of Clemency at the Betrayal of Judas, Mary Most Holy of Health and Hope, Mother of the Church, and Saint Benedict. |
Historical Background
The brotherhood originated from one of the youth associations that took part in processions on the Friday of Sorrows. In 1993, it became integrated into the Parish of San Benito and was established as the Parish Association of the Most Holy Christ of Clemency, beginning a gradual process of consolidation within both parish life and Jerez’s brotherhood tradition.
The brotherhood’s subsequent development has been closely linked both to the consolidation of its religious worship and to the creation of the artistic and devotional heritage that defines it today. Its current canonical seat is the Parish Church of San Benito, at Avenida Ingeniero Ángel Mayo, 14, 11407 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 de la Clemencia (Most Holy Christ of Clemency) was created by Manuel Ortega Alonso in 1993. Carved from cedar wood and polychromed, the image was blessed on 8 December of that same year. The brotherhood’s principal Marian image is María Santísima de Salud y Esperanza, Madre de la Iglesia (Mary Most Holy of Health and Hope, Mother of the Church).
Its full official name is “Hermandad y Cofradía de Nazarenos del Santísimo Cristo de la Clemencia en la Traición de Judas, María Santísima de Salud y Esperanza, Madre de la Iglesia y San Benito”. 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 the other figures that bring the Gospel episode to life. In this case, the scene centres on the betrayal of Christ by Judas. The image of the Virgin Mary conveys the particular Marian devotion expressed in her title, while Saint Benedict and the brotherhood’s other sacred dedications 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: Parish Church of San Benito, at Avenida Ingeniero Ángel Mayo, 14, 11407 Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz)
Pictures / more info (Spanish)
