The most solemn days of this religious period are Holy Thursday and Good Friday, this year te 2oth and 21st of March. Many different celebrations take place on these days.

Years ago it was a custom to drape the images in the churches with purple cloth, purple being a symbol for sorrow. Today people decorate their houses with purple flowers , ribbons and bows.

On Holy Thursday, all of Oaxaca´s churches decorate their altars with representations of the Sacred Heart or the Paschal Lamb. It´s traditional for families to get together and visit seven churches. On these same days the churches exhibit their relics and standards -which date to the 18th Century-  with the image of the patron saint of each neighborhood.

Good Friday is a day of fasting and reflection. In the afternoon the famous procession of Silence takes place. It´s a solemn march that offers condolences to the Virgen Mary - It´s called the Procession of Silence because all of the participants and spectors remain silent to show respect for the death of Jesus. The procession passes through the main streets of Oaxaca. The participants are residents of different neighborhoods who accompany the images from their local church. Many are fulfilling vows they made when they prayed for a miracle that has been realized, while others are praying for something they currently hope for.