Malaga Holy Wednesday key moments: processions and release of prisoner

Malaga's Holy Wednesday was a day of devotion, emotions and deeply rooted traditions. The spectators saw the brotherhoods and processions of the Salesianos, the Mediadora, the Fusionadas, the La Sangre, the grandeur of the La Paloma, the mercy of forgiveness of the El Rico and the majesty of the La Expiración.

Unlike last year , the Cofradía de la Paloma did not cause any delays as it passed the official reviewing stand and the Expiración brotherhood was able to request permission to proceed at 11.13pm, just three minutes later than scheduled.

As happened on Monday with the Cofradía del Cautivo and on Tuesday with the Cofradía del Rocío, however, the Paloma brotherhood arranged its penitents in rows of three to facilitate adherence to the day's schedule. To compress its procession along the official route, the El Rico included women wearing mantillas within the rows of penitents.

The Holy Week processions began in Huelin with the departure of the Mediadora, which showcased the newly completed throne of theNazareno del Redentor de Mundo, while the Virgin wore a new ivory-colored robe in homage to Mari Rueda, the Dolorosa's chambermaid.

Shortly afterward, in Capuchinos, the first bell tolls were heard from the Salesian throne, where the angel Pablito wore glasses and a silver cross belonging to José Gálvez Ginachero, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Asociación de Salesianos Cooperadores, of which the Malaga-born doctor, currently in the process of beatification, was a member. Also at his feet was a zucchetto of Pope Leo XIV.

The first brotherhood to enter the official route was that of Fusionadas. President of the Andalusian regional government Juanma Moreno once again carried the throne of the Cristo de la Exaltación, declaring before the procession that he was "prepared and excited because it's a reunion with a tradition". At the start of the procession, a woman approached the throne to embrace Moreno in gratitude for a request she made on Holy Wednesday last year, which enabled her brother to receive rehabilitation at Proyecto Hombre (a rehabilitation centre).

With Calle Carretería and the Tribuna de los Pobres overflowing with people, the Cristo de la Sangre and the Virgen de Consolación y Lágrimas passed by on their way to the official route, where they once again demonstrated their unique identity with more than five centuries of history.

The Cathedral once again bore witness to one of the most deeply rooted traditions of Holy Week in Malaga: the release of a prisoner by Jesús El Rico in the presence of the Virgen del Amor.

Bishop of Malaga José Antonio Satué presided over the ceremony in which 58-year-old gardener and father of two José R. C. regained his freedom after having been sentenced to two and a half years for assault and threats.

This year is special for the Hermandad de la Paloma as it marks the centenary of the devotion to the Virgen de los ojos verdes. As is tradition, Mayor of Madrid José Luis Martínez-Almeida participated in the procession.

As the procession passed along Calle Larios, head of the regional government of Madrid Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who is in Malaga to attend the transfer of the Cristo de la Buena Muerte this Maundy Thursday, was invited to lift the throne. The brotherhood is currently organising a pilgrimage to Madrid with their Virgen de los Dolores next autumn.

The day culminated with the procession of the Archicofradía de la Expiración, whose departure was attended by Director General of the Guardia Civil Mercedes González. A large contingent of the Guardia Civil accompanied the Cristo de la Expiración and the Virgen de los Dolores.