Procession of Jesus del Gran Poder takes the streets of Quito

Yesterday at 11h00 thousands of Catholics filled the main streets of Quito to take part in the traditional procession of Jesus del Gran Poder (Jesus of the Great Power) and recalled the ordeal of the Lord before his death. Fifteen minutes later, the town bands began to play their music and the procession began.

Thousands of Quito inhabitants participated in the Jesus del Gran Poder’s Procession all along the main streets of the capital.

The pace of the procession, slow for the amount of people, was enriched by the faith of the devotees and the faithful, who threw petals at the sculpture of Jesus carrying a cross, which joined the procession at noon on the shoulders of police officers.

From the San Francisco Church also joined hundreds of people as “Christs” and several “veronicas“, which are women using lilac robes and funeral veils.

Cucuruchos carrying wooden crosses.

The procession also had barefoot men with leg chains and other carrying heavy wooden crosses, while some others wore plants with thorns on their backs as a sign of penance, while children, young and old were praying and singing.

“The sole idea of carrying something so heavy, makes people have chills,” says Marco Carrete, 44. “But it’s an honor for me, I do it for my father God, who has given me so much and to whom I owe so much.” His cross, which rests at his home for the rest of the year and is bigger than him, is essential for the procession. “I carry it alone; I do not like to share my burden. These are my sins and I, carrying the cross, apologize for them. ”

Marco Carrete carries his heavy cross.

Patricio Granda, 53, likes the path of the procession. He carries one of the heaviest crosses. “It has to cost you a lot. I do it so my sins may be forgiven. I’m showing my sacrifice to God, “he said as he climbed the cross on his back.

At 12: 15, the procession reached the church of La Basilica, one of the main points where locals and tourists were waiting for the penitents. By then, Granda could barely speak. “It’s a very deep contact with Jesus during Holy Week,” he shared before losing his breath again.

Finally at 14:00, Granda arrived to San Francisco with his latest effort, putting down the cross from his shoulder with a look of pride and happiness for himself.

In the procession, thousands of faithful believers followed a rough road, nearly three kilometers up the Riofrio street, before returning to San Francisco Church once again.