The Vera-Cruz

Pious Sacramental Brotherhood of the Good Shepherd and of the Immaculate Conception, and Very Ancient, Ever Illustrious and Venerable Pontifical, Royal, Fervent, Humble and Seraphic Archconfraternity of the Holy Vera Cruz, Our Lord of the Kings and Most Holy Mary of the Sweet Name in Her Glorious Sorrows.

History

There is documentary evidence of a confraternity of the Vera Cruz dating back to 1497, when it occupied a chapel near the cemetery of San Rafael, later moving to the Church of San Francisco. Extinguished in the 19th century, it was re-established in 1983 in the Conventual Church of the Good Shepherd. In 1984 it acquired the character of a Sacramental and Conceptionist brotherhood, blessing on April 1st of the same year the image of Most Holy Mary of the Sweet Name in Her Glorious Sorrows. In 1985, it moved to the Parish of San José and Espíritu Santo, and in 1987 the image of Our Lord of the Kings was blessed, which processed for the first time on Holy Monday of 1991. In the year 2000, the Virgin of the Sweet Name joined the penitential procession.

Church

Parish of San José and Espíritu Santo. The church of Campo de la Verdad has three naves separated by columns, some of which come from the old Great Mosque of Córdoba, with notable capitals. Today, its grand baroque altarpiece stands out, as well as several sculptural pieces placed in its side altars, and the old “Cruz Guiona,” which is preserved throughout the year in this church.

The Images

Our Lord of the Kings

The image of Our Lord of the Kings is the work of the Sevillian sculptor Antonio Dubé de Luque, made around 1987. It is a clothed image, although it is detailedly carved except for the arms, to better accommodate the cross. The Lord is depicted as a Nazarene, with the Cross on His shoulders, but in an inverted position, which was the most common way to represent Christ until the 16th century. The dark-skinned face shows great expressiveness while displaying the signs of martyrdom.

Initially, the brotherhood‘s intention was to accompany Christ with two executioners handing Him the Cross, narrating the scene of the delivery of the Cross in the Praetorium. However, it was decided that the Lord would go alone, as if embracing the Cross.

Most Holy Mary of the Sweet Name in Her Glorious Sorrows

Like the image of the Lord, this is also the work of sculptor Antonio Dubé de Luque, and was made in 1984. This beautiful sculpture, with a rounded face and blue eyes, overflows with sweetness, as her name suggests, in contrast with the evident expressions of sorrow. With a downcast gaze, three tears flow from her eyes. Slightly arched eyebrows, a furrowed brow, straight nose, and slightly open mouth enhance the expressiveness of this dolorous Virgin.

Nazarene Habit

Tunic in merino white with red buttons, red velvet face covering, merino white cape, and red and white cincture.

Notable Insignias

• Ancient Guiding Cross, property of the Parish of San José and Espíritu Santo, restored in the silversmith workshops of the Lama brothers.
• Chased alpaca lanterns from the Sevillian workshops of Villarreal.
• Pontifical banner embroidered in the brotherhood’s workshops. Conceptionist banner in purest blue with a chased alpaca staff by Villarreal, embroidered in the brotherhood’s workshops.
• Penitential banner embroidered in the brotherhood’s workshops.
• Tintinnabulum flanked by censers, which may be used as the brotherhood is affiliated with the Major Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome.
• Standard of the brotherhood, the first insignia it had, in red velvet embroidered in gold with ivory appliqués from the Santa Isabel workshops in Seville, according to the design by the brotherhood’s artistic advisor Antonio Dubé.
• Censers chased by Villarreal.
• Golden alpaca staff of the Elder Brother, also from the Villarreal workshop in Seville.