The Venerable Third Order of the Sorrows of the Cross originates from the Venerable Third Order of Saint Francis which, following the 1835 Ecclesiastical Confiscation, settled in the Church of San Esteban and transferred the worship of Our Sorrowful Lady of the Cross therein. The brotherhood was re-founded in 1999 with new statutes and in 2004 the Union of Brotherhoods granted permission to carry the effigy of the Christ of Forgiveness in procession.
The Venerable Third Order of the Sorrows of the Cross is one of the oldest brotherhoods in Plasencia. Its origins are documented as early as 1835, but it is likely that its origins date back decades earlier. For as long as it has been known, this brotherhood has carried the effigy of Our Lady of Sorrows in procession which, until the 1935 Ecclesiastical Confiscation, was housed in the convent of San Francisco. As a reminder of its origins, the Venerable Third Order holds an annual mass in the Senior Citizens Retirement Home, which nowadays occupies the premises of the former convent. Since its re-foundation in 1999, the brotherhood has grown and has added Honorary Senior Brotherhood Members.
The Holy Christ of Forgiveness religious float is a 150cm polychrome birch wood sculpture of a living Christ, created by the Dobarro sculptors' studio, in the 18 th century Sevillian Christs style. At first, the Union of Brotherhoods acquired this religious float to be part of a Calvary with this effigy and the two thieves, but finally the religious float was donated to the Venerable Third Order and has remained as we see it now. The Holy Christ of Forgiveness has been carried in procession every Holy Thursday with this brotherhood since 2004.
The effigy of Our Lady of Sorrows of the Cross (Nuestra Señora Dolorosa de la Cruz) is a full size clothed and seated figure by an unknown author from the 17 th century. Originally housed in the convent of San Francisco, it was moved to the parish of San Esteban in 1835, where it has been worshipped ever since. Since time immemorial, the Venerable Third Order has carried this Virgin in procession alongside the Brotherhood of the True Cross on Holy Thursday.
Plaza de San Vicente Ferrer
Plaza de San Nicolás
Calle Blanca
Plaza de la Catedral
Calle Santa Clara
Convento de Santa Clara
Calle San Esteban
Plaza Mayor
Calle Zapatería
Plaza de San Vicente Ferrer
