Since this weekend is Mexico Easter, I thought I would explain a little about how the holiday is celebrated here, as well as describe religion in general in Mexico.

Mexico Easter is celebrated differently; there are no eggs or Easter bunny. Good Friday is a very introspective day and religious people will go to church, not eat meat and some will even fast. It is a personal time for contemplation and religion.

It is a two week celebration. The first week is Semana Santa, or Holy week, which begins Palm Sunday and lasts until Easter Sunday. Pascua, Easter Sunday, marks the beginning of the second week and lasts until the following Sunday.

Holy week celebrates the final moments of Christ’s life, and Easter of course celebrates his resurrection and the release from lent. Many communities in Mexico will have various events celebrating the holiday. Full reenactments of the Passion Play are demonstrated from the Last Supper, Betrayal, Judgment, 12 Stations of the Cross, Crucifixion and the Resurrection.

It is a wonderful time to be in Mexico to experience some real culture. However, many Mexicans take vacation at this time so prices can be as high as the Christmas season and beach towns will be crowded.

Mexico has no official state religion, although 82% of its population is Roman Catholic. Various indigenous populations in the Yucatan or other isolated locations still practice traditional beliefs or a mix of Catholicism and ancestral customs.

According to a recent census, about 9% of the population is Protestant, making it the second largest religious group after Catholicism.

No matter what religion you practice, Mexicans are very tolerant and will welcome you with open arms. No matter how you are celebrating, have a wonderful holiday weekend!