Holy Monday is the second day of Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday. This week is of paramount importance for Christians as it commemorates the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. The ceremonies held throughout this week reflect these events through the Church’s liturgy.
In addition to the liturgical acts in the churches, various popular cultural events take place around the world during Holy Week. Particularly noteworthy are the processions, which are organised in numerous towns, showcasing the devotion and fervour of the faithful.
Holy Monday in Verges
In Verges, a town with a rich history in Catalonia, Holy Monday is experienced in a unique way. Around mid-afternoon, the sound of drums fills the streets, announcing the preparation for the Children’s Procession. The town’s children, dressed as Roman soldiers and armed with broomsticks, march to the rhythm of the drums, practising for their performance on Saturday.
Tonight, the main square becomes a rehearsal space. If you decide to join us for the evening, which will likely be cold, we invite you to warm up by buying a bag of sunflower seeds. In Verges, it is customary to eat them while watching the rehearsals, but we ask that, unlike what some do, you dispose of the shells in a bag instead of throwing them on the ground. This way, we can all help keep our town clean.
The anticipation grows as the people of Verges gather in front of the stage, waiting for their turn to participate. The ‘Manages’, carrying spears, rehearse their route, while in The Little Square, you can witness the rehearsal of the Dance of Death. This latter part is especially solemn, and maximum respect should be shown, as many of the participants are children taking part for the first time.
Meaning of Holy Monday
Holy Monday is notable for being a day when, unlike others during Holy Week, there is no specific mass celebrated for the community. On this day, the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany at the house of Lazarus, whom Jesus had resurrected, is remembered. It also commemorates the expulsion of the merchants from the Temple of Jerusalem, an event Jesus condemned by saying: “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers” (Matthew 21:13).
Mass Schedule
- Verges: 7:00 PM
Last updated: 12/02/2026
