As the sun peeked through the clouds in Seville on April 14, 2025, the city prepared for a vibrant celebration of Semana Santa, particularly highlighting the Pontificia y Real Hermandad del Santísimo Sacramento y Cofradía de Nazarenos de Nuestro Padre Jesús en su Soberano Poder ante Caifás, Nuestra Señora de la Salud y San Juan Evangelista. Founded in 1942, this brotherhood has become a cornerstone of the local community, with a procession that lasts approximately 75 minutes.
The Hermandad's headquarters are located at the Parroquia de San Gonzalo in Plaza de San Gonzalo, where preparations were in full swing for the day’s events. Manuel Lobo Punta serves as the Hermano Mayor, overseeing a brotherhood that has seen significant growth, boasting 6,900 members and 3,200 Nazarenes this year. The Nazarenes are easily recognized by their distinctive white tunics and masks, complemented by yellow abacá belts.
This year marks a special milestone for the Hermandad de San Gonzalo, as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the making and blessing of the image of Nuestro Padre Jesús en su Soberano Poder ante Caifás. To commemorate this occasion, the Señor will don a stunning white and gold tunic designed by Javier Sánchez de los Reyes and embroidered by Joaquín Salcedo during the procession on Lunes Santo.
As the clock approached 15:00 hours, excitement filled the air. The procession route included iconic streets such as Avenida de Coria, San Jacinto, and the bustling Plaza del Triunfo. The music for the event will be provided by various bands, including the Banda de Cornetas y Tambores Columna y Azotes and the Banda de Música «Santa Ana» from Dos Hermanas, creating an atmosphere of reverence and celebration.
Antonio Rodríguez Babío, the diocesan delegate of Cultural Heritage, reflected on the significance of this event, stating, "The image of Jesús in the paso de misterio captures the humility and love of Christ, which we will experience this Semana Santa." The sculpture itself, created by the esteemed artist Luis Ortega Bru, deviates from traditional iconography, showcasing a dynamic figure of Christ that conveys movement and emotion.
Ortega Bru's work, completed in 1975, features a head that was sculpted in 1975 and the rest of the body added the following year. The figure's right leg is advanced, and the head is turned, adding a sense of motion to the representation. The serene expression on Christ's face, with long, bony fingers and a gentle gaze, invites contemplation, reflecting the biblical moment when Jesus reveals his identity to Caifás, marked by the phrase “YO SOY” engraved on the front of the pena.
This year, the Hermandad expects to see an even larger turnout than in previous years. In preparation for the procession, the Nazarenes were organized in rows of three to minimize waiting time between the first and second floats. This organizational change reflects the growing number of participants, a testament to the brotherhood's increasing popularity and community involvement.
As the procession got underway, the atmosphere in the San Gonzalo market was distinctly different from a typical Monday. Vendors prepared for the influx of Nazarenes, with many stalls closing early to accommodate the event. Local resident Leonor noted, "Lunes Santo is very sad in the market because all the stalls are closed. If there’s usually no fish, today is even worse with San Gonzalo going out."
Despite the quieter market, some vendors remained optimistic. Francisco, who runs one of the few bars in the market, planned to stay open until the last of the Nazarenes had passed. "Today we’ll sell drinks and sandwiches like crazy," he said, highlighting the unique atmosphere created by the procession.
As the day progressed, the local police implemented a virtual traffic light system to manage crowd control, indicating street occupancy levels. Streets marked in red were full, while those in yellow experienced high occupancy, and green streets had no circulation problems. This initiative, already tested during the Magna event, aimed to ensure safety and accessibility during the busy Semana Santa.
With rain forecasted to arrive later in the evening, many participants and onlookers kept a hopeful eye on the skies. Last year, the procession faced a two-hour delay due to inclement weather, but this year, the mood remained optimistic as the brotherhood prepared to take to the streets.
As the clock struck 15:00, the first float of the procession emerged from the Parroquia de San Gonzalo, met with cheers from the gathered crowd. The figure of Nuestro Padre Jesús en su Soberano Poder ante Caifás, adorned in his commemorative tunic, was a sight to behold. The community's pride and devotion were palpable, as the procession moved gracefully through the streets, accompanied by the solemn yet uplifting sounds of the marching bands.
In the heart of Seville, the Hermandad de San Gonzalo continues to thrive, drawing together thousands in a shared expression of faith and tradition. As they honor their past and celebrate their present, the brotherhood stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Semana Santa, inviting all to partake in the beauty and solemnity of this cherished event.
