A wet Maundy Thursday causes tears in many fraternities

Christ could not come out in La Línea
(Photo: J.M. Quiñones)

Jueves Santo (Holy, or Maundy, Thursday) is one of the Easter processions season's most important days, after Good Friday (Viernes Santo). The Hermandades (Brotherhoods or Fraternities) throughout Spain spend months in preparation, not to mention a lot of money. Now, rain is not unusual at this time of year - and no exception this time, either. Many of the processions throughout the area could not take place through the streets of towns and villages. Not only would all the preparations be drenched but many of the figures that are carried on the shoulders of the costaleros ('carriers') are very ancient and highly valued.