In Veurne, the Penitential Procession wound its way through the streets of the West Flemish town in a centuries-old tradition on Sunday. Participants bring scenes from the Old and New Testaments, the two main sections of the Christian Bible, a sacred collection of ancient religious writings, to life. The suffering of Jesus Christ is at the heart of the procession.
The procession takes place every year on the last Sunday in July, coinciding with the annual fair. The procession started in 1646 and is organised by the ‘Confraternity of the Crucified Saviour’, a voluntary Christian association of laypeople.
The central theme of the Penitential Procession is the suffering of Jesus Christ, a central figure in the Christian faith and regarded by believers as the Son of God and the Messiah. First, scenes from the Old Testament are depicted. Penitents walk barefoot through the streets, dressed in coarse robes. Other penitents carry a cross as a sign of faith and penance.
Among the participants are also riders on Belgian draught horses, dressed as Roman soldiers. Marnix Debrabander (66) from Evergem (East Flanders) is taking part for the eighth time this year. “We are the soldiers who, having captured Jesus, have to drive him through the crowd,” he explains. “You do need to be a believer to take part in this, but for us it is an honour to be able to do so.”
Eddy Dobbelaere (85) from Veurne is a spectator today. “I’ve taken part before, and perhaps I’ll manage it again one day," he told VRT. "It’s a wonderful tradition, especially for those who are religious. But even for those who aren’t religious, this is a special occasion. It’s valuable for the town of Veurne. I can see lots of people lining the streets everywhere, so that’s good.”