The procession of Holy Friday, which is held at night, is called the “Mysteries” and it is organized by the Archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament. It starts at the Mother Church and unwinds through the main streets of town and involves eight statues that represent the various scenes of the Passion of Christ. It’s the statue of Jesus in the olive grove garden, Jesus on the pillar, Jesus flogged, Jesus that falls under the cross, Jesus Crucified, the Calvary, Jesus dead in the cradle and the Lady of Sorrows. The procession, as we know it today, started in 1880 when the commander Saverio De Bellis, a wealthy brother of the congregation of the Blessed Sacrament commissioned, in Lecce, the beautiful papier maché statues that faithfully reproduce the five sixteenth century wooden statues of the confraternity of Saint Stephen of Molfetta. The procession silently unwinds illuminated by the candles of the devout, brothers and sisters - rigorously covered with a black veil - accompanied by the classical funeral music performed by the local town band.
The procession of Holy Saturday, organized by the confraternity of St. Onofrio and of the Lady of Sorrows takes place in the early hours of the morning, just after sunrise. The procession starts from the Church of St. Onofrio, accompanied by the brothers and sisters of the congregation and unwinds through the streets of the city. It involves three statues, the Calvary, Jesus dead in the cradle and the Lady of Sorrows; always with the sacred music of the band in the background.
