Pilgrims, local Catholics flock to Semana Santa 2025

Thousands of local Catholics and pilgrims flocked from various regions of Indonesia and abroad to Larantuka District, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province as of Apr. 17, 2025. The pilgrims came since Apr. 15, 2025 specifically to attend the  2025 Semana Santa procession for the Holy Week that culminates with Easter.

Semana Santa is not just a sacred religious ceremony, but also a blend of traditional local culture and historical heritage from centuries ago with the coming of the Portuguese to the region.

Pilgrims and Catholics have various reasons to attend Semana Santa. On top of praying, they also want to experience a unique religious experience. Semana Santa, as a form of devotion to the Virgin Mary, mother of God, and Jesus Christ, is believed by Catholics to be one of the moments to convey special intentions for prayers.

The local community and pilgrims believe that every form of prayer that is recited earnestly, sincerely, and devoutly during the Semana Santa pilgrimage will have a place in God's heart. Therefore, many pilgrims who are sick or who bring their unwell family members pray for healing and recovery with the blessing of God during Semana Santa.

Tens of thousands of Catholics and pilgrims have filled Larantuka City since Holy Wednesday. The number of pilgrims continued to increase during the Maundy Thursday mass at the Cathedral Church of the Queen of the Rosary Larantuka, or the Larantuka Cathedral.

After the Maundy Thursday mass, the congregation and pilgrims flocked to pay their respects to Tuan Ma (the Virgin Mary) and Tuan Ana (Jesus Christ) at the Tuan Ma Larantuka Chapel and Tuan Ana Larantuka Chapel in the city center near the cathedral.

The two chapels were opened on the afternoon of Apr. 16, 2025, with a ceremony in the form of prayers involving the local community and confraternity, which include Larantuka King Don Andreas Martinus Diaz Viera de Godinho. The Tuan Ma and Tuan Ana statues are located inside their respective chapels.

The pilgrims and local congregation pays their respects by kissing the Tuan Ma and Tuan Ana statues while offering special prayers to God. Various agricultural produce from the local community are also placed in the chapel as an expression of gratitude for God's blessings.

The pilgrims stand in line that goes for multiple kilometers while praying from noon to night. The hot and rainy weather does not deter the pilgrims and local Catholics. When entering the chapel door, the pilgrims must also walk on their knees towards the Tuan Ma and Tuan Ana statues. Most pilgrims wear black as a symbol of mourning for the suffering of Jesus Christ.

The congregation and pilgrims were still queuing in front of the Tuan Ma and Tuan Ana Chapel as of the morning Apr. 18, 2025, before the two statues would be paraded in the afternoon. The heavy rain on Friday morning did not dampen their determination to continue moving up the queue.