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Thousands of pilgrims observe Holy Week in Larantuka
More than 10,000 Catholic pilgrims have arrived in Larantuka, East Flores, since Wednesday to observe the 500th Holy Week to be held at Reinha Rosari Cathedral
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ore than 10,000 Catholic pilgrims have arrived in Larantuka, East Flores, since Wednesday to observe the 500th Holy Week to be held at Reinha Rosari Cathedral.
Catholic faithful also descended on the Chapel of the Virgin Mary and the Chapel of Jesus Christ since morning to say prayers and mark the days leading up to Easter.
East Flores Deputy Regent Yusni Herin said the peak of the celebrations was expected Thursday afternoon with an influx of visitors from mainland Flores, Alor, Lembata, Kupang and other islands across East Nusa Tenggara province.
“Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro is also scheduled to arrive on Thursday and so are other government officials and an entourage from the Foreign Ministry,” Yusni said.
He added Portuguese Ambassador to Indonesia Carlos Manuel Leitao Frota and his family, as well as Bishop Emeritus Fatima of Portugal, had come over on Tuesday afternoon.
Organizing committee chairman Father Yoseph Naran Leni said in a press release that the Holy Week had begun with sermons at the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ chapels as well as at the cathedral early Wednesday morning.
Pilgrims were required to go barefoot and dress modestly during the sermons at the houses of worship, where they knelt on the floor to offer up their prayers.
The sermons were led by representatives of the 13 tribes of East Flores.
Yogyakarta native Yesti Kumanireng said he had come to Larantuka with his family “to seek peace and serenity” and to take part in the holy tradition.
“We arrived early Wednesday morning by ferry,” he said.
New Zealander Michael McNagel said he had joined the Holy Week celebration because the tradition here was unique.
Other events taking place Wednesday included the installation of a pillar and the making of posts along the main route for the Good Friday procession.
In a related development, dozens of local and national journalists covering the events experienced difficulties Wednesday sending out their reports through the Internet due to a network glitch.
“The Internet connection over at our PR department is also down and can’t be used,” said Deputy Regent Yusni.
The problem was the same for other visitors seeking to browse the Internet.
“The local administration and the organizing committee should have prepared better to help journalists do their work properly,” said Ambrosius, a contributor for a national television station.
He had come to Larantuka with his family “to seek peace and serenity”.
