The Mysteries of Olesa de Montserrat

The two Holy Christs that were lost from Ca la Pellera, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, were the first figures associated with this tradition. It received a notable boost in the Baroque era, especially with the creation in 1694 of the Congregation of Sorrows. This congregation assumed responsibility for the previous Brotherhood of the Holy Christ during the 18th century (the Congregation of the Holy Cross has been registered since 1527).

During this time, important pieces were probably created, such as the Holy Sepulcher complex, the figure of Cal Puigjaner - who in 1916 was moved to the Diocesan Museum of the Seminario and, later, in 1936, disappeared - and the Pietà de Casa de Carreras.

At the beginning of the 20th century, there was a renaissance, with the restoration of the most precious Mysteries and the replacement of some with figures of better quality, such as the set on Calle de la Amargura, resculpted between 1881 and 1901.

The war of 1936 annihilated this heritage, leaving only a few elements such as the magnificent baroque angels of the Holy Sepulchre. However, once the war was over, the different neighborhoods and brotherhoods commissioned their images again. From this period the works of the sculptor Josep M. Camps Arnau are notable.

In 1969, following the new regulations approved at the Second Vatican Council and by consensual decision of certain priests of the Diocese of Barcelona, including that of the Parish of Olesa, Mn. Jaume Serrano, the Mysteries were no longer publicly shown and the processions in the town were suspended, including the Holy Week one, and were forgotten for two decades.

The 11 mysteries of Olesa are:

• The Kiss of Judes
• The Camí del Calvari
• The Saint Christ
• The Sant Crist de l'Agonia
• The Saint Sepulcre
• L'Ecce Homo
• L'Oració de l'Hort
• The Flagel·lació of Jesus
• The Pietat
• The Soledat of Maria at Peu del Calvari
• Mare de Déu dels Dolors

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