Holy Tuesday is a key day within Christian Holy Week. As we approach the central days of the celebration, Thursday and Good Friday, the Church invites the faithful to a deep reflection on the passages of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. These days serve as a “final call” to approach the Sacrament of Confession. The faithful will experience the Easter Vigil and Easter, moments that commemorate the great banquet of the Eucharist, the most important Mass of the year.
Holy Tuesday in Verges
In Verges, the traditions of Holy Tuesday take on a particularly communal and intense character. Throughout the afternoon, the village’s children repeat their rehearsals, introducing more complex choreographies compared to what they have practised in the preceding days. As night approaches, all participants commit to arriving punctually at the main square or the Little Square, depending on the role each one plays. This organisation precedes the dress rehearsal, which includes the re-enactment of the second and third falls and the crucifixion, among other significant acts. During this evening, which serves as the final opportunity to perfect every detail, a remarkably serious atmosphere prevails, with the usual jokes diminishing to underscore the importance of precision in each performance.
Additionally, this highly anticipated moment also serves for the distribution of the costumes that will be worn on Maundy Thursday. This process generates great anticipation among the participants, who gather in front of the parish hall waiting for their names to be called to collect their attire. Once the rehearsal is over, some volunteers are tasked with going to the church to collect the “mysteries” (processional scenes) and move them to their assigned location within their neighbourhood, thus getting everything ready for the processions and events that will follow. This sequence of events not only demonstrates the dedication and commitment of the people of Verges to their traditions but also sets the stage for the solemn Holy Week celebrations that are about to take place.
The Remembrance of Holy Tuesday
Holy Tuesday reminds us of crucial moments narrated in the Gospels. In the Gospel according to Saint John, Jesus anticipates the betrayal by one of his apostles, a scene full of tension and revelation:
“I assure you, one of you will betray me.” As the apostles wondered, Jesus identified the traitor: “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” By giving the bread to Judas Iscariot, the path to betrayal was set in motion.
Furthermore, the gospel captures the moment when Peter assures Jesus of his loyalty, to which Jesus replies: “I assure you, before the rooster crows, you will have disowned me three times.”
(Gospel according to Saint John, chapter 13, verses 21-26 for the betrayal of Judas, and chapter 13, verse 38 for Peter’s denial).
Mass Schedule
- Verges: 7:00 PM
Last updated: 12/02/2026
