The Holy Week, which will take place from March 22 to 31, is an ideal opportunity for visitors and international residents to learn more about Costa Rican traditions.

The Costa Rican Catholic Church, directed by the Archdiocese of San José, organizes the Holy Week festivities throughout the nation. The Archdiocese is the country's oldest Catholic organization, with over 100 churches.

The Catholic institution welcomes the public to attend its events in the country's churches, which include mass, processions and prayers.

All processions in downtown San José will feature actors performers and live music by the San José Municipal Band.

Holy Week begins on Friday, March 22, with the Feast of Forgiveness, a unique day of continuous confessions in all of the country's Catholic churches.

The Virgin of Sorrows' inaugural procession from the Metropolitan Cathedral to the Dolorosa Church will take place the same Friday at 7 p.m. in San José City.

Palm Sunday, on March 24, remembers Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The major procession through the streets of San José will begin at 9 a.m. and will travel from the Merced Church   to the Metropolitan Cathedral.

On Monday, March 25, the Way of Sorrows, commonly known as the Via Crucis, will begin at 7 p.m. In San José, this will take place from the Borbon Fruit Market to the Municipal Handicrafts Market.

The Holy Farm Blessing custom will be carried out on Tuesday, March 26, at 8 a.m. at San José Central Park and all of the town's central parks. 

The Maundy procession is scheduled for Thursday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m. The activity in San José City extends from the Metropolitan Cathedral to the Carmen Church.

On Good Friday, March 29, there will be two processions. The first begins at 10:30 a.m. with a procession from the Soledad Church to the Metropolitan Cathedral in San José, commemorating Jesus' crucifixion and death on Calvary.

The second event, at 6 p.m., is the Holy Burial procession in San José, which will take place on the streets around the Metropolitan Cathedral.

The Virgin Mary Mourning procession will take place on Saturday, March 30, at 4 p.m. In San José, the route runs from the Soledad Church to the Metropolitan Cathedral.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is commemorated on Easter Day, Sunday, March 31, and it is the week's last procession, beginning at 9:30 a.m. In the capital, it will go from the Carmen Church to the Metropolitan Cathedral.

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Have you witnessed the Holy Week events in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com