Public Story
Confraternity / Brotherhood
1,640
Confraternity / Brotherhood
Location: Puebla, Mexico
Nationality: Mexican
Biography:
Alejandra Rajal is a documentary photographer born and based in Mexico. Her vision focuses mainly on creating awareness of different realities through photographs, aiming to social conscience, empathy and sensibility to others. Currently, she...
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Focus:
Photographer, Photojournalist, Travel, Photo Assistant
Skills:
Research, Translator, Graphic Design, Photo Assisting, Color Correction, Film Scanning, Adobe Photoshop, Photo Editing, Photojournalism
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
Members of the Brotherhood of Nazarenes carry the Jesus of Nazareth statue during the Holy Week procession. Their black robes and conical headdresses are the same design as those historically used among Catholic brotherhoods in Spain.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
Brother Axel Ortega has been preparing for Holy Week since the beginning of the year.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
Members of the confraternity participate in mass services on Sundays and during liturgical occasions like Holy Week.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
From left to right, Diego Reding, Ramón Moscoso, and Abelardo Cabañas practice reading the Liturgy of the Hours together.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
Although the capirote is lightweight, its conical design can make the wearer feel off balance. For this reason, members practice carrying the Jesus of Nazareth statue in their headdresses.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
Members practice carrying the thousand-pound statue in the months leading up to the Holy Week procession.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
The Brothers practice their formation so they can move in tune with the music during the procession.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
Brothers tie large bands around their waists as part of their uniform. Colors vary between red, white, and purple depending on the occasion, and part of their routine is helping each other tie them.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
To join the Brotherhood, members pass through a yearlong trial where they prove their devotion to Jesus of Nazareth by attending events like masses and processions.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
Mexican polvorón (shortbread) and chamomile sprayed with holy water are spread out on a table.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
The procession group is formed by the oldest and most devoted members. A diagram with their names and positions is drafted before the event.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
Behind the hood, every brother has a personal story. Being part of the confraternity sometimes means leaving individuality behind and embracing collectivity. Brother José Roberto has been a member of the confraternity for seven years and hooded for three.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
Brother Marco Castañeda tries on the conical hat known as capirote.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
Parroquía de Nuestro Señor San José, or Parish of St. Joseph, was founded in 1595. The chapel remains one of the largest in Puebla and is a symbol of the confraternity’s history. The chapel was damaged during a 2017 earthquake and access was restricted until 2019.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
Parroquía de Nuestro Señor San José, or Parish of St. Joseph, was founded in 1595. The chapel remains one of the largest in Puebla and is a symbol of the confraternity’s history. The chapel was damaged during a 2017 earthquake and access was restricted until 2019.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
A girl holds a bouquet of flowers outside the Temple of St. Monica during Holy Week. The temple holds one of the most venerated sculptures in the city: “El Señor de las Maravillas.”
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
Liturgical colors in Catholicism are used for different occasions. Red is used during Holy Week because it exemplifies the passion of Christ.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
Beginning and ending at the Parroquía de Nuestro Señor San José where the Jesus of Nazareth is on display year-round, members of the Brotherhood circle the historic center of Puebla during the Holy Week procession.
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© 2020 Alejandra Rajal
One of the more difficult parts of the procession is the entrance to the Cathedral of Puebla, where the stairs and gates are narrow and coordination is essential.