During the route on Maundy Thursday, the figure of The Blind Man (or the Pilgrim) provides one of the most moving moments of the First Fall. As the Verges Procession enters The Little Square, this character embodies the desperate search for light amid the darkness of the path to Calvary.
The Encounter in The Little Square
The Blind Man stands by the roadside, unsettled by the approaching shouts and crowds. Although he cannot see the procession of the Manages and The Jews, he senses Jesus’s presence through touch and sound. In a deeply dramatic act, he crawls across the ground to position himself before the condemned.
The Miracle of Sight: “I Can See!”
His dialogue with Jesus is uniquely intense. The Blind Man pleads, “Lord, that I may see!”. In a merciful response, Jesus restores his sight before the astonished gazes of The Jews and the people of Verges.
Once healed, The Blind Man’s exclamation—“Oh, Jesus! Oh, Lord! I can see!”—marks the end of his anguish. He then chooses to follow Jesus, grateful for the gift received and proclaiming his divinity in defiance of the cruelty of those leading him to the cross.
Symbolism of the Blind Man in the Verges Procession
The Blind Man represents those who believe without seeing. His healing during the First Fall contrasts the spiritual blindness of the persecutors with the clarity of faith. His role is undoubtedly one of the elements that makes the Procession of Verges an experience far beyond a simple parade.
Last updated: April 25, 2026
