MAUNDY THURSDAY
| Most Illustrious Archconfraternity of the Holy Name of Jesus and Brotherhood of Penitents of Our Father Jesus Praying in the Garden, Mary Most Holy of Consolation and Saint Vincent Ferrer. |
Historical Background
The archconfraternity has a long-standing tradition associated with devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus and with the Convent of Santo Domingo. During the 20th century, it established the present-day sculptural group depicting the Agony in the Garden and consolidated its penitential identity around the sacred images created by Juan Luis Vassallo Parodi.
These milestones illustrate how the brotherhood gradually developed its religious identity, processional traditions and artistic heritage. Its current canonical seat is the Church of Santo Domingo, at Alameda Cristina, 11403 Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz), from where it maintains devotion to its sacred images and its close ties with the local parish community.
Today, the brotherhood makes its annual penitential procession on Maundy Thursday, taking its place among the brotherhoods of Holy Week in Jerez. Its foundation, the blessing of sacred images, subsequent reorganisations, restorations and inaugural processions are all important milestones in understanding its present-day identity. Over time, the continuity of its religious worship and the preservation of its sacred images have helped strengthen the bonds between successive generations of brotherhood members.
Sacred Images and Patron Saints
Nuestro Padre Jesús Orando en el Huerto (Our Father Jesus Praying in the Garden) and the Ángel Confortador (the Angel of Consolation) were carved in 1943 by Juan Luis Vassallo Parodi and restored in 1990 by José Guerra Carretero. The brotherhood’s principal Marian image is María Santísima de la Confortación (Mary Most Holy of Consolation), while Saint Vincent Ferrer completes its sacred dedications.
The brotherhood’s full official name is “Muy Ilustre Archicofradía del Dulce Nombre de Jesús y Hermandad de Nazarenos de Nuestro Padre Jesús Orando en el Huerto, María Santísima de la Confortación y San Vicente Ferrer”. This title brings together the sacred dedications that shape the brotherhood’s religious worship and reflect the Passion of Christ, Marian devotion and the veneration of the saints associated with the brotherhood.
The principal sacred images form the devotional centre of the brotherhood. As part of the misterio, or sculptural group depicting a scene from the Passion, they are arranged to bring the Gospel episode of the Agony in the Garden to life visually. The presence of Saint Vincent Ferrer and the brotherhood’s other sacred dedications completes its spiritual programme and highlights its particular historical and religious associations. Together, these sacred figures form a unified devotional and artistic identity, representing the brotherhood both in its regular religious worship and in its annual Holy Week procession.
General information
Home Church: Church of Santo Domingo, at Alameda Cristina, 11403 Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz)
Pictures / more info (Spanish)
