The Army and Navy in the Holy Burial procession in the city of Pontevedra

Once again, this Good Friday the Holy Burial procession was held in the city of Pontevedra, with military accompaniment.

Excellent photos of the Legion's landing in Malaga with the ship 'Galicia' L-51
The spectacular march of the Marine Infantry during Holy Week in Cartagena

For many years, this procession has included the participation of the Army and the Navy, as well as a contingent from the Civil Guard and the Pontevedra Local Police. This procession brings together the city's seven brotherhoods, and it boasts one of the largest celebrations. You can see a series of photos of the procession here, which I've published on my Flickr account. You can enlarge the photos by clicking on each image.

Brotherhood of Our Lady of Beautiful Love of Campolongo. Its members wear purple hoods and capes and white tunics, and carry the float of Our Lady of Beautiful Love. The brotherhood was founded in 1997. It has its own band. It is the youngest of the brotherhoods in Pontevedra, is based in the Church of San José, and leads the procession.

Brotherhood of the Holy Body of the Seafarers' Guild. Its members wear a white tunic with a black hood and cape, and accompany the float of Christ Crucified. This guild was founded in the Middle Ages and is currently the oldest maritime guild in Spain. It only admits members of families with ties to the sea, either through the Navy or the merchant marine. The Brotherhood of the Seafarers' Guild was initially founded in 1924, although its current form began in 2007. The cross that leads the brotherhood includes several relics.

War Band of the Brigade "Galicia" VII (BRILAT) of the Spanish Army. Traditionally accompanies the Seafarers' Guild in the procession. This Brigade is headquartered in Figueirido (Pontevedra). In the images, we see its soldiers wearing the gray beret, the distinctive headwear of the BRILAT, adorned with a goshawk.

Brotherhood of Our Lady of Sorrows It is a predominantly female brotherhood. The women of this brotherhood wear a black Spanish mantilla and, in some cases, a black tunic and hood. It was founded in the 1950s.

Brotherhood of Our Father Jesus of Silence. Its members wear white hoods, black tunics, and orange capes, and accompany the float of Our Lady of Sorrows. The brotherhood was founded in 1952 by students from Pontevedra living in Santiago de Compostela; hence, their capes display a red Cross of St. James. The brotherhood has a drum corps.

Naval Military Academy (ENM). The Spanish Navy's officer academy accompanies the Brotherhood of Our Father Jesus of Silence in this procession. We see two officers accompanying the float, followed by the ENM band, made up of members of the Marine Corps.

Brotherhood of Our Father Jesus Carrying the Cross. Its members wear a black hood, white tunic, and red cape. The brotherhood was founded in 1949 by veterans of the Spanish Civil War, which is why its float, that of the Recumbent Christ, bears the emblems of the three branches of the Armed Forces (below, in the third photo, we see the emblem of the Navy on one side). Since 1992, this brotherhood has had a band of drums, bugles, and bagpipes.

Brotherhood of the True Cross and Mercy. Its members wear purple hoods with a green cross potent and black tunics. The brotherhood carries the float of the Virgin of Mercy, escorted by the Civil Guard. The brotherhood has a band of drums, bagpipes, and bugles.

Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit. Its members wear white hoods and capes and maroon tunics, and accompany the procession of the Holy Cross. The brotherhood was founded in 1952 and is known as the "Brotherhood of the Institute," as it is made up of current and former students of the Pontevedra Institute. Its headquarters are located in the Santa María Parish Center, and it has a band of bugles, drums, and bagpipes.

The Lignum Crucis of the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor. It is a relic of the Holy Cross on which Christ was crucified. It is carried in procession under a canopy and escorted by six members of the Pontevedra Local Police in full dress uniform.

Here's one last photo of the procession returning along Michelena Street towards the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor. Holy Week in Pontevedra is truly spectacular, and it takes place in a city whose historic center is very pleasant for strolling. I highly recommend it.