LUMEN VERO CATHOLIC ACTION
See attached list for 2026 Catholic action initiatives being considered. If you are interested to help coordinate an event, please see link:
Action initiatives
EXAMPLES OF PROCESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
Spain — Semana Santa Processions
The Semana Santa processions in Spain are among the most dramatic and historic expressions of Catholic devotion in the world. Held during Holy Week, these processions feature large, ornate floats depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, carried through the streets by costaleros and accompanied by penitents in traditional robes. Drums, brass bands, candles, and crowds create a deeply moving atmosphere that blends faith, culture, and centuries-old tradition.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk3uxwLV7M0&t=219s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-EzhFOI5XU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XULTHbK5z8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZapBAfr1aj8
Belém, Pará, Brazil — Círio de Nazaré
Belém hosts the Círio de Nazaré, one of the largest Catholic processions in the world. Millions accompany the image of Our Lady of Nazareth through the city. Attendance often reaches 2–2.6 million people.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrW80VtDvNA
Lima, Peru — Señor de los Milagros
Lima is home to some of the world’s largest processions, marked by intense devotion and public participation. Their major processions regularly draw hundreds of thousands to several million participants throughout the year.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys_FyotRxSs
Ecuador — Holy Week & Marian Processions
Cities such as Quito and Guayaquil host Holy Week processions with penitents, traditional imagery, and large community involvement. Major events can gather 200,000–300,000 participants across different cities.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eolq7Lf-MGw
Manila, Philippines — Black Nazarene Cross
Manila’s processions, especially those involving the Black Nazarene Cross, are among the most crowded on earth. The procession of the Black Nazarene Cross attracts over 6,000,000 people.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYA5mbMtQNw
Antigua, Guatemala — Semana Santa Processions
Antigua is known for its Holy Week celebrations, which feature massive floats, purple-robed participants, incense, and intricate sawdust carpets. Annual attendance often reaches 200,000–300,000.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFcsz-wubGc
Guatemala City, Guatemala — Holy Week Processions
Guatemala City stages some of the largest Holy Week processions in Central America. Massive andas, Roman reenactments, and long devotional routes attract hundreds of thousands of participants throughout the week.
YouTube:
https://youtu.be/3vpZ1i7cQas?si=vazEPrObRVoO1PAM&t=8
https://youtu.be/SdYB0dNTLj4?si=TvVuIYXIyMW9yzkn&t=27
Goiás, Brazil — Procissão do Fogaréu
The Fogaréu procession in Goiás is a dramatic nighttime reenactment of the arrest of Christ, featuring torch-bearing penitents and a somber atmosphere. It attracts approximately 10,000–15,000 attendees each year.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/nPVizcVd8Ak?si=Z1ldB45LFHZlNmOE&t=22
Braga, Portugal — Holy Week Processions
Braga’s historic Holy Week celebrations involve traditional confraternities, solemn marches, and ancient chants. These processions typically draw 50,000–100,000 people across the week.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I57QwE8iwvs
Popayán, Colombia — Holy Week
Popayán’s Holy Week is internationally renowned, featuring nightly candlelit processions, massive wooden pasos, and centuries-old traditions. Attendance often reaches 100,000–200,000.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7ma8rbHTwU
Salta, Argentina — El Milagro & Holy Week Devotions
Salta’s major religious processions draw crowds from across northern Argentina, with the El Milagro devotion alone gathering 600,000–800,000 people.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-LI2olg7l8
Nicaragua — National Holy Week Processions
Cities such as León and Granada maintain strong Holy Week traditions featuring penitents, processions, and community devotion. Combined attendance nationally can reach 50,000-100,000 people.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBqaZ6iVlFE
Venezuela — Holy Week Processions
Venezuelan cities like Caracas continue to host major Holy Week processions. These typically draw 50,000–100,000 faithful.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lry98NwYhPk
El Salvador — Holy Week in San Salvador & Beyond
El Salvador’s Holy Week processions blend indigenous and Catholic traditions, attracting tens of thousands of participants across multiple cities. Large-scale public displays of devotion remain a hallmark of the nation.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj8iNwywF8U
Havana, Cuba — Good Friday Procession
Havana’s reestablished Good Friday procession has grown steadily in participation over recent years. While smaller than many Latin American events, it draws 5,000–10,000 participants and is a significant expression of public Catholic identity in Cuba.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0gow8PuJDw
Paraguay — Tañarandy & Other Holy Week Traditions
Paraguay features unique Holy Week devotions, especially the dramatic candlelit Tañarandy procession, which includes “living paintings.” These events attract 15,000–20,000 attendees, with additional gatherings across the country.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5hM_2j7wko
Bolivia — Holy Week in Sucre & La Paz
Bolivia’s Holy Week processions feature torchlit marches, traditional images, and deep community participation. Major ceremonies attract 20,000–50,000 people, with variations depending on location and year.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/6iTdwXuv-DI?si=V2H-3FizVcVtpNkT&t=428
Bulacan, Philippines — Holy Week Carroza Processions
Bulacan’s famous Holy Week processions involve dozens of ornate carrozas, thousands of participants, and huge crowds lining the streets. These events often draw 100,000–200,000 attendees, making them among the largest in the Philippines.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/xWsx2mJxHTA?si=LnBAbmR5lIrzO1nC
Mexico City — Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, centered at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the site where the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Juan Diego in 1531. Each year, millions of pilgrims—many arriving on foot, by bicycle, or carrying images of the Virgin—come to venerate the sacred tilma and participate in Masses, dances, and processions. The celebration draws 10–12 million participants over the feast period.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/xWsx2mJxHTA?si=LnBAbmR5lIrzO1nC