The Fallen

Pontifical, Royal, and Venerable Brotherhood and Confraternity of Our Father Jesus Fallen and Our Lady of the Greatest Sorrow in her Solitude.

History

Due to the limited documentation on the origins of the confraternity, the founding date remains one of its main mysteries. One theory suggests the confraternity was established with the arrival of the titular image at the convent church in 1670, following the donation made by the cathedral schoolmaster Francisco Antonio Bañuelos y Murillo to the Discalced Carmelites. However, another theory points to 1764, 94 years after the arrival of Jesus Fallen. Its ties to bullfighting and to the students of the Virgen del Carmen school – located near its canonical seat, the convent of San Cayetano – are among its most notable features. In fact, the presence of bullfighters among its brotherhood has been a common trend since the 19th century. The first matador to become a board member was José Dámaso “Petete,” great-uncle of Manolete, in 1862. He was followed, among others, by Rafael Molina “Lagartijo” and Manuel Rodríguez Sánchez “Manolete,” the last bullfighter to preside over the governing board of the Brotherhood of the Fallen.

Temple

Convent church of San Cayetano. This church arose with the relocation of the convent of San José, founded by Saint John of the Cross on Buen Pastor Street, to this site outside the city walls. The temple features a remarkable main altarpiece, as well as decorations with oil paintings by Fray Juan del Santísimo Sacramento.

The Titular Images

Our Father Jesus Fallen

Image donated by the schoolmaster Francisco Antonio Bañuelos y Murillo in the mid-17th century. It is an anonymous work, dated to the early second half of the seventeenth century. It has been stylistically linked to the circle of Pedro de Mena. The scene depicted is one of the three falls Christ suffered on the way to Mount Calvary, although He processes alone. Kneeling, He rests His right hand on a stone, while holding the Cross with His left. At the same time, He slightly turns His head to the right, letting His thick natural hair – which covers the original carved hair – fall freely. The Lord’s face is characterized by His downcast, lost gaze; His slightly furrowed brow shows a restrained expression of pain. The wounds caused by the crown of thorns result in a continuous trickle of blood running down His face, even along the beard, which is sculpted in parallel strands. In the processional exit, Our Father Jesus Fallen wears a purple velvet tunic, decorated with high-quality gold thread embroidery featuring floral motifs. The belt, also in gold thread, harmonizes with the gilded rays and the crown of thorns. The ends of the arboreal-style Cross are adorned with decorative metal fittings. The image has undergone numerous restorations, the most recent by Miguel Arjona Navarro in 1979.

Our Lady of the Greatest Sorrow in her Solitude

The image of the Virgin arrived at the Carmelite convent in the early second third of the 18th century. It is an anonymous sculpture, created in the first third of the 18th century. A candlestick image, designed to be dressed, only the hands and face are carved. Her face is marked by a downward gaze and reddened eyes, creating an expression of deep sorrow. Her slightly open mouth and prominent nose give her a distinctive and striking dolorosa beauty.

Nazarene Habit

Purple tunic, face covering, and black cincture. Officers wear a black velvet cape.

Notable Insignias

• Banner of Jesus Fallen in purple velvet, with appliqué embroidery by the Poor Clare Sisters (1928).
• Silver-plated metal trumpets (1928 and 1968) by José Villa Cabello, with purple and black velvet cloths embroidered in appliqué by the same convent workshop.
• Nails and crown of thorns in gilded metal by Antonio Luque (1948), displayed on a black velvet cushion with appliqué embroidery by the Poor Clare Sisters (1928).
• Rule book, with gold embroidery by Antonio Muñoz (1993).
• Black flag with gold embroidery by Antonio Muñoz (1998), following the design of the previous one, with a silver pole made by Mogaly.