La Sangre (Císter) – The Blood

Sacramental, Seraphic and Cistercian Brotherhood of Foremen and Costaleros (Pace Carriers) of the Holy Cross and Brotherhood of Nazarenes of the Holy Christ of Conversion, Our Father Jesus of the Blood in the People’s Contempt, Our Lady Queen of the Angels in her Joyful and Painful Mysteries and Saint John Evangelist.

HISTORY.
It was founded in 1976, in the monastery of Cisterby students of La Salle School. Their first station of penance took place on Holy Tuesday 1989. In 1996 it was transfered to the convent of Santo Ángel (Capuchinos),with which it has been closely linked since its foundation, and it has been its offical canonical see since 15th January 2002, according to a decree by the Orderof Minor Capuchin Brothers of the Bética Province. In 1998 the image of Señor de la Sangre (Lord of Blood) was included in the penitential retinue. In September 2005 an extraordinary procession took place for the first time with the founding image, made by Eslava, the Virgen de Los Ángeles en sus Misterios Gozosos (Virgin of the Angels in her Joyful Mysteries).

TEMPLE.
Conventual Church of Santo Ángel (Padres Capuchinos) (Capuchin Fathers).It was built in the 17th century, it is located in the traditional Capuchinos Square, and it is characterised by a decorative nudity that contrasts with the restrained Baroque inside. We can highlight the main altar, with canvasses by Acisclo Leal Gaete following the aesthetics from Seville and iconographic Franciscan models. Throughout the year, the images of the brotherhood are at the front of large altars located on both sides of the arms of the small transept of the church, decorated with paintings refering to the passion and the Porziuncola.

THE IMAGES.
Señor de la Sangre (Lord of the Blood) – [PHOTO #1; #2]
The Señor de la Sangre (Lord of the Blood) was made by Antonio Eslava Rubio from Carmona and it was finished around 1978. It was his last work, as he died shortly after finishing it.
The Lord is standing, at the front of the pace, before the people. The scene tells the moment when Pilate, together with Jesus and Barabbas, asked the crowd which of them should be released at Easter. There are up to 7 figures on the pace, all of them, except for the Lord, made by Francisco Pinto Barraquero from Jerez. Behind Jesus, there are two Romans wearing breastplates and short skirts, one of them holding the rope with which Barabbas is tied, who is staring at Jesus. Behind them, we can see Pilate, pointing at the Lord, as if asking the people. The scene is completed by a third Roman and Claudia Procula, Pilate’s wife.
Although it is an image to be dressed, it is completely carved. He is standing, with his hands tied, and it is characterised by its great expression. He is slightly turning his head right, while leaning it, in a submissive attitude after the crowd’s answer. The blood greatly stands out over his swarthy face and it falls down his forehead. His face has very marked features, such as the reddened cheeks or the frowned eyebrows. He has wavy hair and thick beard, which surrounds and frames his parted lips.

Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles (Our Lady Queen of the Angels) – [PHOTO #1; #2]
The Reina de los Ángeles (Queen of the Angels) has only carved face and hands, it was made by Luis Álvarez Duarte around 1980, and it is accompanied by an image of Saint John Evangelist, also by Álvarez Duarte. With a low and thoughtful look, she is barely frowning her eyebrows, and her lips are not parted. It is a very elegant image.

NAZARENE HABIT.
White interwoven tunic and cape with purple buttons, and purple velvet face-coverer. Purple cincture with three simple knots, finished in both tassels in the same colour, falling on the right. Over the cape and on the left elbow there is a representation of the crest of the brotherhood.

IMPORTANT INSIGNIAS.
 Wooden Guiding Cross with silversmithing by Villarreal.
 Blue velvet Virgin banner, with the Virgin in gold, silver and ivory, embroidered by Piedad Muñoz and with Kiernan ivory, on a design by Brother Ricardo of Córdoba.
 Seraphic Guide, embroidered by Antonio Villar and carved by Manuel Luque Bonillo (1996), blessed in Assisi. Silver Conceptionist Guide with gilded brocade by Antonio Villar.
 Carved horns by Villarreal, and gilded embroidered cloths with sacramental and Franciscan motifs.