Holy Week in Seville - The Brotherhoods

The Brotherhoods

At the heart of Semana Santa are the brotherhoods (Hermandades y Cofradías de Penitencia), associations of Catholic laypersons organised for the purpose of performing public acts of religious observance; in this case, related to the Passion and death of Jesus Christ and to perform public penance.

The brotherhoods, besides the day-to-day work in preparation for the processions, also undertake many other self-regulated religious activities, and charitable and community work. Many brotherhoods maintain their own chapel, while others are attached to a regular parish.

Membership is open to any baptised person, although internal rules may limit who can participate in a procession (e.g. women were not allowed to process in some brotherhoods, a rule that was abolished in the year 2011). Currently, membership of one (or more) brotherhoods is usually a matter of family tradition, neighbourhood or personal taste.

There is a Supreme Council of Brotherhoods (Consejo Superior de Hermandades y Cofradías), whose members are chosen every four years by the elders (Hermanos Mayores) of the different brotherhoods. This council is in charge of organisation and agreements with local authorities on the official itinerary. It acts also as the link with the canonical authority (the Archbishop) and between brotherhoods.

The earliest known brotherhood (Primitiva Hermandad de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno, known as El Silencio - The Silence); was founded in the mid 14th century. Since then, many have formed, merged or disappeared. By 2010, 60 brotherhoods will make the stations of penance to the Cathedral during Holy Week, while 9 others will process on the preceding Friday and Saturday without entering the Cathedral (the so-called Hermandades de Visperas).

In addition to these brotherhoods there are over 50 other independent non-penitential Catholic brotherhoods in the city of Seville (such as the various brotherhoods of the El Rocio pilgrimage).