Two Hispanic parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland – Sagrada Familia on Cleveland’s West Side and Sacred Heart Chapel in Lorain – continued a popular Holy Week tradition this year: the Carpets of Holy Week or in Spanish, Alfombras de Semana Santa. The carpets have been a Holy Week tradition for centuries in some parts of the world. Its origins are believed to be in Spain, but the custom is popular in Central America, especially Guatemala and El Salvador, where the diocese established a mission in 1964.
Father Rob Reidy, who served as a missionary in El Salvador and ministered at both Sagrada Familia and Sacred Heart Chapel, was instrumental in establishing the Carpets of Holy Week at the two parishes. The tradition began nearly 30 years ago at Sacred Heart Chapel. During his time as Sagrada Familia’s pastor, Father Reidy asked Roberto Santiago, then a Boy Scout, to begin the tradition as his Eagle Scout project. That was a dozen years ago. Santiago is now a grown man pursuing a career, but his family and Sagrada Familia parishioners continue the beloved tradition.
(See photo gallery above.)
It takes months for the parishes to plan and build the carpets. But in a matter of minutes, after the Passion liturgy on Good Friday, they will be trampled and turned into dust.
Elisa Velez, Santiago’s mother, said destruction of the carpets is symbolic of the death of Jesus, who triumphed over sin and death to bring us salvation.
Work on the carpets at both churches began on Palm Sunday as teams carefully cleaned the floor in the church halls. At Sagrada Familia, panels of plastic were taped to the floor. Outlines of the designs had been traced with black marker so those building the carpets could add the colored sawdust and other materials. At Sacred Heart, the designs – which were approved by Father Bill Thaden, pastor, earlier in the year – were traced on large sheets of heavy, white paper that were taped to the floor. The carpets form a path that is followed as the faithful process from the church into the parish hall after the Passion liturgy on Good Friday (April 18).
Millie Ortiz, who helps coordinate the project at Sagrada Familia, said sawdust is collected from lumber yards to use for the project each year. Volunteers tint the sawdust with paint or fabric dye. Other materials used include salt, colored sand and glitter. The same procedure is followed at Sacred Heart Chapel. Other materials used to add texture to the carpet panels included cotton balls on a Lamb of God panel at Sacred Heart and modeling clay, used on other panels.
Most local TV stations sent camera crews to record segments about this year’s carpets, which is helping to spread the word to the broader community about this special event.
Sacred Heart, which started the tradition in the diocese, helped train Santiago when he began the project at Sagrada Familia.
There is deep meaning behind the panels. Some represent the plight of migrants and refugees. Others are in remembrance of lost loved ones. Some represent organizations or sacraments. The confirmation and first Communion classes at Sacred Heart Chapel each created panels, as did Elyria Catholic High School, which presents a series of Living Stations performances during Lent.
At Sagrada Familia, the centerpiece of this year’s carpets is a nod to the Jubilee Year of Hope, which began in December. Another panel that features the diocesan crest was created by the Office of Hispanic Ministry.
After the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (April 17) at Sagrada Familia, the Blessed Sacrament will be moved to the altar of repose behind the carpets. The carpets can be viewed on Holy Thursday and until the conclusion of the Passion Service on Good Friday.
The Carpets of Holy Week can be viewed at Sagrada Familia Parish, 7719 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, and Sacred Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl St., Lorain, on Holy Thursday. The carpets will be trampled and destroyed after the Passion service on Good Friday, April 18.