The Holy Face

Penitential Brotherhood and Confraternity of Nazarenes of the Holy Face of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Our Father Jesus the Nazarene in His encounter with the Holy Woman Veronica and Our Mother and Lady Mary Most Holy of the Trinity and Saint Martha.

History

Founded in 1982 in the parish of San Juan y Todos los Santos (Trinidad) by a group of young brotherhood members. It held its first penance procession on Holy Tuesday of 1986. In 1987, a period of reforms began within the brotherhood that gave it its current structure. The blessing of the current image of Our Father Jesus the Nazarene took place in 1988, and the following year, the image of Our Mother and Lady Mary Most Holy of the Trinity was blessed, joining the penance procession on Holy Tuesday of 1995.

Temple

Parish of San Juan y Todos los Santos (Trinidad). Founded by King Ferdinand III on the site of an old mosque; the current building dates back to 1710. Although its author is not documented, it is believed to be the work of master Francisco Hurtado Izquierdo. It is a single-nave church with a small transept and rectangular apse, as well as two 18th-century façades with Solomonic columns. It houses a notable set of 18th-century altarpieces, especially the one that presides over the main altar. It also features mural paintings by Antonio Palomino depicting Old Testament scenes.

The Images

Our Father Jesus the Nazarene

The image of the Lord is the work of Sevillian sculptor Antonio Dubé de Luque, created around 1988. This image replaces the anonymous 18th-century Nazarene. The scene depicted is the encounter of Jesus with the Holy Women on the way to Mount Calvary.

The sculpture is a dress image of the Lord, shown carrying the Cross on His left shoulder, slightly leaning forward, while raising His right hand towards Saint Veronica. With sharply defined features and dark complexion, He is without a crown of thorns but bears the marks it left, with blood running down His forehead. His gaze is lowered, and He frowns as a sign of pain and exhaustion.

Saint Veronica, kneeling and holding the veil with the Holy Face, gazes at Christ with tearful eyes. It is a work by Antonio Salto from 1988. The Holy Women are also works by Salto, created in 1989.

Our Mother and Lady Mary Most Holy of the Trinity

The image of Our Mother and Lady Mary Most Holy of the Trinity is the work of Sevillian sculptor Antonio Salto Román. Her head is slightly turned to the left, with a downcast gaze, and six tears fall from her eyes. In my opinion, she displays a gesture of contained sorrow, endowing her with an elegance and exquisiteness worthy of praise.

Nazarene Habit

White tunic with train, purple face covering, and esparto belt.

Notable Insignias

• Guiding Cross (1992) made of mahogany with silverwork by the Sevillian workshop Hijos de Juan Fernández.
• Senatus (1993) in purple velvet with applied embroidery from the brotherhood’s workshop, designed by Fray Ricardo of Córdoba and staff by Hijos de Juan Fernández.
• Brotherhood standard (1989) designed by Eduardo Heredia, with applied embroidery by San Rafael workshops on purple velvet, painting by Fray Ricardo, and staff by Ríos.
• Trumpets and censers chiseled in silver by Hijos de Juan Fernández.
• Book of Rules covered in purple velvet with silver corner pieces, featuring a silver Veronica’s veil in the center and the Holy Face painted in enamel by Antonio Salto (1990).