PhD Program in Historical studies
Holy Monday in Castelsardo (Sassari)
The re-enactment of the Passion of Castelsardo (Sassari) is one of the most important events of Holy Week in Sardinia. The ceremony starts on Holy Monday (Lunissanti), with two processions, called the Misteri, which recount the Flagellation and the Crucifixion of Christ. The rites are organized by the Confraternity of the Oratory of Santa Croce (The Holy Cross). Its members, who wear the traditional cap and white robe surrounded by a cordon, are distinguished by the function that they play during the ceremonies: the Apostles carrying the ten Misteri (objects and tools that tell the scenes of the Passion), singers intone the sacred chants. The latter are grouped into three choirs, associated with as many relics: the Choir of the Miserere at the Skull, the Choir of the Stabat or Ecce Homo at the bust of Christ and the Choir of Jesus at the Crucifix. The first ceremony begins at dawn at the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (Saint Mary of the Graces). At sunset, in the historic centre of Castelsardo, the second rite is held on Monday of Holy Week.
After the Monday of Holy Week, the other important ceremony of Holy Week in Castelsardo is the s’iscravamentu (the Deposition of Christ from the Cross), which is celebrated on Good Friday. The previous day, however, a processional route commemorates the search for Jesus (represented by a wooden statue of the fourteenth century) by Mary (represented by a small statue). The rite of the s’iscravamentu is a very impressive example of para-theatrical expression, which takes place in the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The faithful gathered in the Cathedral, Our Lady of Sorrows placed behind the Crucifix and Christ’s coffin at the side of the main altar: this is the scene that is the background to the play of the Deposition as told by a Franciscan preacher on the Baroque pulpit. Two brothers interpret Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. While the preacher narrates the event, the latter climb stairs placed at the side of the Cross, pull the nails and remove the crown of thorns. At this point, the Body of Christ is taken down from the Cross and the coffin is covered with a white veil. The Miserere Fugi Fugiendi is sung by singers from the beginning of the procession with the coffin of Christ covered with flowers and the statue of which the Apostles move at a brisk pace in the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where the Burial of Jesus takes place (in accordance with the Jewish rule that prohibits the execution on the Sabbath).