Catholic women lead solemn Holy Week procession in Antigua

Unlike earlier Holy Week processions in Antigua, typically led by men carrying heavy floats, this tradition saw women bear the sacred 18th-century statue through the town’s historic streets.

Clad in black cloaks instead of the traditional purple, they carried the revered image from the Church of La Merced.

The procession is seen as a blessing by many, offering a way to share in Mary’s grief and reflect on themes of sorrow and devotion during Holy Week.