The Holy Blood Procession in Bruges

by Patrick Bernauw in Holidays, May 26, 2009

Every year in Bruges, on Ascension Day, the Procession of the Holy Blood takes place. The centerpiece is the coagulated relic of the Precious Blood of Christ. Sixty to hundred thousand spectators are watching this parade of historical and biblical scenes.

Jesus gives the answer to the meaning of life. Following Jesus means: to love God always, even if you are at risk of losing your life. Here is the entry to Jerusalem and the Last Supper, presented by the Rhetoricians of the Holy Ghost or the Thirteen.

Jesus did not receive a fair trial. The Roman governor Pilate defended his own position, instead of searching for the truth. Jesus had to serve as a scapegoat.

Jesus was crucified in order to appease the anger of the people and to suppress the tensions in society. As Lamb of God he takes away evil once and for all. With Him a new time begins. From this moment begins the description of Jesus’ physical and moral suffering. He is the symbol of all who are tortured up to this day.

The scenes of the scourging and the crowning with thorns are presented by the masons and stone-masons, because, from the 15th century, their public worship took place in the chapel of the Holy Blood. Jesus is now “on the cold stone” – this statue, a work in 1900 created by Michiel D’Hondt, is venerated in the chapel of the Holy Blood, but is now in the Procession escorted by a platoon of Roman soldiers.

The events of Golgotha are represented by the miraculous cross of Damme. According to the tradition, it has been brought out of the sea by sailors. Since 1339 it is venerated in the church of Our Lady in Damme.

The inexpressible suffering experienced by those who are left. The mother who lost her son. Girls are singing a Stabat Mater. The Pieta…

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Milan, capital of Lombardy, preserves the relic of the Holy Sepulchre. There also is a Church of the Holy Sepulchre – or a Jerusalem Church – in Bruges. The statue showed here is a copy of the one in this church (1702). In front of the Holy Sepulchre and led by grieving women goes Joseph of Arimathea carrying the chalice in which the blood of Christ was received.

A group with banners is called “the Arms of Christ”. The banners are portraying the instruments of the Passion or Arma Christi.

The Chamber of the Rhetoricians of the Three Saints present the scene of the Resurrection, because there are three saints in its coats of arms: St Barbara, St Catherine and St Mary Magdalene who was the chief witness of the Resurrection.

Now starts the historical section, with a herald announcing the arrival of Thierry of Alsace, returning from the Crusades. He brings the relic of the Holy Blood with him. Tradesmen and members of the guilds go forth to welcome the Count. The band enhances the spirit of the festive arrival in this “good city” while town messengers announce the annual fair and procession.

There are flagwavers and their flags are showing a pelican who feeds her young with her own blood to save them from starving to death; it’s a symbol of Jesus Christ you’ll find everywhere in Bruges.

And then there is Count Thierry with the relic. Besides him is his lady, Sybilla of Anjou. There are no Templars in the Procession. Nevertheless, according to the legend, it were the Knights Templar who gave the Count the relic of the Holy Blood. Count Thierry is followed by his son Philip of Alsace, who later will be the commisioner of Chrétien de Troyer, the writer of the first Grail Story, as is told in the article Perceval and the Holy Grail of Bruges.

Finally, the Saint George’s Guild opens the most important section of the procession. This guild was also responsible for maintaining order in the medieval city. Is it a coincidence their red cross reminds us of the banner of the Knights Templar?

The Holy Blood relic is carried by two prelates and four members of the Noble Brotherhood surround the shrine, dating from 1617, and set with hundreds of precious stones amongst which is the “black diamond”, coming from Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland. Here is a last picture of the shrine, taken in the morning, when it was carried out of the Chapel of the Holy Blood…

The Holy Blood of Bruges, a New Jerusalem

Perceval and the Holy Grail of Bruges

The Medieval Procession of Penance at Furnes

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Tags: belgium, Blood, Brotherhood, Bruges, christ, Count of Flanders, Grail, Holy, jerusalem, Jesus, joseph, Joseph of Arimathea, Knights Templar, Mary Magdalene, myths, Old Testament, Pharaoh, precious, Procession, quest, relic, Salome, templars, Virgin Mary

User Comments

Unofre Pili

On May 26, 2009 at 3:25 am

Enjoyed reading it. Very-well presented.
Debra.

On May 26, 2009 at 6:25 am

Excellent write, Patrick! I enjoyed reading the entire piece! It was very well written and the pics added so much depth. Very entertaining.
C Jordan

On May 26, 2009 at 8:30 am

Very interesting recount of the procession and its historic significance. Nice pics by embee.
Lauren Axelrod

On May 26, 2009 at 8:20 pm

What a fascinating subject Patrick. I never knew about this.
Joe Dorish

On May 30, 2009 at 11:40 am

Very interesting, enjoyed reading this.
Ruby Hawk

On May 30, 2009 at 9:11 pm

Very enjoyable reading.