Procession of Silence

Bishop Miguel de los Santos Díaz y Gómara, Ordinary of the Diocese of Cartagena in Spain, surrounded by members of the Brotherhood of the Holy Christ of Refuge, during the so-called Procession of Silence, since 1943 traversing the darkened streets of Murcia (initially at midnight on Good Friday, and in 1958 its start was accelerated by two hours). The confreres are dressed in traditional Spanish penitential robes with high, pointed and face-covering hoods. Bishop Díaz y Gómara in the procession participates in the winter, ermine-lined cappa magna, with head covered with a hood. In the case of the clergy privileged to use the cappa magna, it was one of the distinguishing features of the penitent nature of the ceremony, the second one was a loose and dragged train – in this case it is held on the prelate’s shoulder. It is also worth noting the use of gloves, forbidden in combination with cappa magna, on which it is easy to see the bishop’s ring [photo from Cofradía del Stmo. Cristo del Refugio].