“We have put the brotherhood of Santo Entierro in the place its history deserved”

-What is your record at the head of the Santo Entierro brotherhood over the last four years?

Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but bros. But I understand that it has been very positive. Different fronts have been undertaken, such as giving the brotherhood the place it deserves due to history and tradition. The creation of social networks, to have closer contact with the brothers; The openness of the corporation encouraging people to come brought over two hundred brothers to join the staff during this period, taking over the Monday meetings after the fraternity mass. To this day was added Thursday, when many brothers also gathered to see each other. Of course, the creation of a young group, increasingly fiery and full of initiative. On a cultural level, value Eucharistic Thursdays and the cloister procession in the function that we dedicate during the feast of Corpus Christi to the Blessed Sacrament, as well as in the culmination of the quinary to Saint Couché.

A significant heritage improvement has been undertaken. Important was the acquisition of sacramental writing, which benefits the character of the brotherhood, the acquisition of new dalmatics, the restoration of property and of course the restoration of the Holy Setting, which restored its original splendor and dispelled any doubt about the authorship of the image.

We cannot leave aside the question of charity. The brotherhood has dedicated itself to many initiatives, stretching what little it has to serve many people and institutions.

In short, these were profitable years during which the brotherhood was not quiet. As the saying goes: “Sleeping shrimps are carried away by the current”.

However, I am left with the fact that at the end of the term, only one candidate participated, after twelve years where there were always two.

-What does it mean for the brotherhood to celebrate a great sacred burial and the way of the cross of the brotherhoods?

These are two important steps, because they tested the capacity of the brotherhood in various areas: organization, delivery, vocation…. Many people and institutions collaborated on both events, not without problems, including the Santo Entierro Grande. But I understand that the test was passed. The rating that others give (smiles).

At the Santo Entierro Grande an important social work was created, with the invaluable help of the brotherhoods that were part of the procession, two exhibitions were organized, one at the Mercantil and another at Cajasol, all generating a flow of people who served to make us known.

-What should you do? What are the plans for the new mandate?

The main thing is to grow internally. Once the fundamental pillars are in place, we must ensure that the fraternity grows in number of brothers and in interior life. Get away from the “noise” and focus on what’s important. Worship, charity, training and strengthening unity, so that we all move in the same direction.

In the heritage section, continue the restoration and recovery of goods and face the completion of the altar of María Santísima de Villaviciosa.

-Your brotherhood has given a lot of positive speeches in recent years. Where does success lie?

I believe one of the main virtues is that everyone who arrived was greeted with kindness and affection. The brother was put forward. Interest and dedication was put into getting it right, even if sometimes it didn’t work. And above all because the board of directors is made up of friends who, even with different opinions, always look for the good of the company.

-The brotherhood has experienced sustained growth as far as brothers are concerned. How does a new brother arrive at Holy Burial?

As I mentioned, during this period approximately 200 brothers became brothers. Many come because they have heard about the Holy Burial and are curious. Once there, affection and friendship level everything. Others, through acquaintances or family.

However, it is surprising how many brothers arrived alone, without anyone introducing them.

-During the previous term, a major repair of the Church of San Gregorio had to be corrected. What stage of conservation is the temple currently in?

This question was a hard blow for the brotherhood, since at first there were plans to close the temple. But thanks to God and the generosity of many brotherhoods, brothers and anonymous people, the problem was solved from the beginning. In this section, I would like to particularly thank the Seville City Council, its mayor José Luis Sanz and the director of urban planning, Fernando Vázquez, without whom it would have been impossible to complete the works and undertake others following the collapse of the roof.

Currently, the wall facing the Center for American Hispanic Studies, which had a detachment problem due to moisture accumulation, is being repaired, and the roof of the church and convent will be cleaned.

-Do you see a new Santo Entierro Grande in the years to come?

I see it, although I don’t know when. It’s nice that these events have significant space between them. We cannot turn the extraordinary into ordinary, otherwise we will take away the magic.

-Are you a supporter of Holy Week as a solution to the so-called numerus clausus?

I believe that each brotherhood must make the decisions it deems necessary with its body of Nazarenes. Thank goodness they don’t all have thousands of brothers and sisters in their backyard, so the solution cannot be generalized, but rather ad hoc. There are many formulas, all valid, as long as they benefit the brotherhood itself and Holy Week in general.

-The mobility and security of Holy Week are still relevant. Is there a solution to this?

Like any event that attracts the masses, and unfortunately Holy Week in Seville attracts more people than one would selfishly wish, this event is dangerous in itself. Trying to create safe environments, without any risk, is a utopia, because reality shows us that there are always uncontrollable elements. The solution is not to restrict Holy Week and make it a closed circuit, where people cannot move, because that would put an end to the concept of this religious celebration. It is clear that preventive measures must be adopted, but with moderation and common sense, without generating unnecessary alarm.

-What would you say to a faithful to approach the brotherhood of Santo Entierro?

That it is a welcoming fraternity, where each brother has his place and if he wants to bring responsibilities in the different areas, from the secretarial to the priest, including stewardship, youth… We know each other very well, because we are friends and we have known each other for many years, which means that there is a good atmosphere and that the problems that may arise are always resolved with a beer in hand.