Brotherhood of Jesus Crucified and of the Most Holy Sacrament

Processional Floats

Author: Ildefonso Serra
Date: 1902–1904

The group consists of three figures: Christ Crucified, the Virgin Mary, and Saint John. Christ is depicted at the moment of expiration, with His head inclined to the right. On that side stands the Virgin, upright, her face expressing a mother’s sorrow. On the opposite side, Saint John kneels, his right hand resting on the Cross.

History

The Brotherhood was founded in the Parish of San Lesmes a few years after the image of Jesus Crucified had been entrusted to its custody and veneration by the Holy Week Board and the Cathedral Chapter in 1930. From that moment on, progress was delayed due to the socio-political circumstances of the time. Around 1941, parishioners began the necessary procedures and meetings to establish the Brotherhood, which officially came into full effect in January 1942.

From then on, work began on drafting the Statutes. After several years of initial activity, the definitive text was completed and officially approved on November 21, 1945, having previously been accepted by all members on February 4 of the same year. The document bears the signature of Archbishop Luciano Pérez Platero, with Buenaventura Díez y Díez as Chancellor Secretary, and Félix Niño Palomino as Parish Priest of San Lesmes.

The Brotherhood was founded with the purpose of promoting devotion to Jesus Crucified throughout the year in the parish church and, in a special way, on specific occasions such as: the Good Friday Holy Burial Procession, the public Way of the Cross through the streets of the city, the preaching of the Seven Last Words on the morning of Good Friday, and other extraordinary acts centered on Christ Crucified.

A second aim echoes earlier times, when devotion to the Holy Eucharist flourished among Catholics. In this parish, as in many others, there once existed a Brotherhood of the Blessed Sacrament, which disappeared as a result of the disentailment laws of the nineteenth century.

When Holy Week brotherhoods were revived, they were influenced by past traditions. Some assumed the legacy of Eucharistic devotion alongside their Passion devotions. For this reason, this Brotherhood is present in the liturgical celebration of Holy Thursday, later presiding over the vigil before the Altar of Repose. It also participates, though more discreetly, in the annual parish procession for the Easter Communion of the sick.

Throughout its history, five stages may be distinguished:

First stage: foundation, establishment and growth (1942–1952).
During these ten years, the first Statutes were drafted and approved. Membership reached fifty full members, eight without medal, and seven associates. The Statutes were printed after approval. The Brotherhood organized a Way of the Cross in the Plaza Mayor and began broadcasting the Seven Last Words.

The first habits consisted of a white tunic with red buttons, a crimson cincture, a maroon cape with white collar, white gloves, and a white hood bearing the Brotherhood’s emblem: a white host inscribed in red with the Cross. Members carried a white candle and wore a medal with a maroon cord reproducing the emblem.

Second stage: flourishing and peak (1952–1963).
A renewed Governing Board introduced key figures into the Brotherhood’s history. Membership rose to eighty-three, including ten women contributors. The Brotherhood’s life and solemn activities were consolidated, though insufficient attention was paid to generational renewal.

Third stage: decline (1964–1970) and disappearance (1971–1982).
Founding members passed away, no new members joined, and changing attitudes diminished interest in such institutions. The temporary closure of the church (1967–1969) for restoration contributed to decline. Around 1981, a revival began, driven by former members and parishioners who gathered information, documents, and habits. The parish vicar, Fr. Gregorio Alameda, played a decisive role by reintroducing the habit in the Holy Burial Procession.

Fourth stage: rebirth and renewal (1983–1989).
With the enthusiasm of Fr. José Luis López and fifteen young parishioners, the Brotherhood was revived in January 1983. Meetings were held, devotion to Jesus Crucified was rekindled, habits were renewed, and participation expanded to include women and young members.

Fifth stage: maturation and consolidation (from 1989).
A new Statute inspired by the spirit of Vatican II was approved and printed on February 4, 1989. A drum and bugle band was formed, habits were fully renewed, and membership became open equally to men and women.

Activities of the Brotherhood

The Brotherhood organizes the Way of the Cross on Holy Wednesday, promotes the devotion of the Seven Last Words, and participates in the Holy Burial Procession. It also collaborates with Cáritas Diocesana de Burgos through monthly contributions supporting its charitable work.

Way of the Cross (Holy Wednesday).
First organized in 1948, the image was carried to the Plaza Mayor, where the fourteen stations were preached from the Town Hall balcony. In 1957 the route was shortened to avoid jurisdictional disputes, and later confined to the parish church during years of decline. From 1985 onward, it gradually returned to the streets, eventually restoring a longer route accompanied by drums and trumpets.

The Seven Last Words.
First held in 1948 and broadcast live by Radio Castilla, the devotion originally lasted three hours, reflecting the traditional time of Christ’s agony. From 1976 it was shortened to one hour, and from 1990 broadcast on delayed transmission.

Holy Burial Procession.
The Brotherhood’s principal public act is its participation in the Good Friday Holy Burial Procession. Its presence has been continuous except during periods of church restoration. In recent years the float, floral decoration, lighting, and habits have been fully renewed, with the drum and trumpet band leading the procession.

The Image of Jesus Crucified

The sculptural group depicts Jesus at the moment of expiration, head inclined to the right. On that side stands the Virgin Mary, her face expressing maternal sorrow. On the opposite side appears Saint John, with one hand resting on the Cross and the other extended in questioning gesture.

The Barcelona sculptor Ildefonso Serra created the group in 1902, in carved and polychromed wood, following the eighteenth-century style of Salzillo. Commissioned by the Holy Week Board of Burgos, it was financed by two benefactors, Vicente Alfonso Ortega and Andrés Martínez Zatorre.

The image remained in the Cathedral until 1930, when it was transferred to the Parish of San Lesmes. After various relocations within the church and adaptations of its float, it was fully renewed in 1998.

The renewed appreciation of popular piety has contributed greatly to the revival of Holy Week in Burgos. This Brotherhood seeks to contribute to that renewal by strengthening devotion to Christ Crucified among its members.