Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Father Alan leaves the congregation to conclude the service.

As Father Alan takes mass in Benghazi’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church a young Libyan sits in the doorway wearing Adidas tracksuit bottoms and a football shirt and holding an elderly looking sawn-off shotgun.

Immaculate Conception is the city’s last functioning church after gunmen attacked the Greek Orthodox Church in March assaulting the priests and setting it on fire.

Since the revolution the church has been broken into twice and it’s only five minutes away from an open-air gun market but its priests say the only thing that will make them close the church is if the government asks them to leave.

Philip Chukiaiuma
'As you can see there are children running around. Everyone feels safe here. We just try to keep to our prayer and take care of our people.'

Three Nuns visiting from India take their pews. They are visiting Benghazi to volunteer in the local hospital.

As Father Alan takes mass in Benghazi’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church a young Libyan sits in the doorway wearing Adidas tracksuit bottoms and a football shirt and holding an elderly looking sawn-off shotgun.

Immaculate Conception is the city’s last functioning church after gunmen attacked the Greek Orthodox Church in March assaulting the priests and setting it on fire.

Since the revolution the church has been broken into twice and it’s only five minutes away from an open-air gun market but its priests say the only thing that will make them close the church is if the government asks them to leave.

A member of the congregation reads from the New Testament

Catholic North Koreans attending mass

Guatemalan women carry an Anda during Semana Santa (Holy Week) procession in Antigua, Guatemala.

Father of San Pedro Church looks on as Anda leaves the church for procession during Semana Santa in Antigua Guatemala.

Procession participants in costume celebrate the last day of Semana Santa.

A procession leaves San Pedro Church on the last day of Semana Santa in Antigua, Guatemala.

Antigua, Guatemala is known for its vibrant religious festival during Semana Santa (Holy Week), one of the most popular religious celebrations in Latin America. Semana Santa consists of costumed processions, reenactments of the crucifixion, and other events.

Women in veils prepare for the procession during Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Antigua, Guatemala. Antigua, Guatemala is known for its vibrant religious festival during Semana Santa (Holy Week) popular among religious celebrations in Latin America. Semana Santa consists of costumed processions, reenactments of crucifixion and other events.

Procession participants in a cloud of vanishing smoke.

Antigua, Guatemala is known for its vibrant religious festival during Semana Santa (Holy Week) religious celebrations among Latin America. Semana Santa consists of costumed processions, reenactments of crucifixion and other events.

Guatemalan women carry an Anda during Semana Santa (Holy Week) procession in Antigua, Guatemala.

Guatemalan women carry an Anda during Semana Santa (Holy Week) procession in Antigua, Guatemala.

Alfombura (Carpet made with flower and sawdust) during Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Antigua, Guatemala.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

A man carries a sacred object while praying and chanting in the procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Angel Children
Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Little Angels
Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Angel Girl
Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty Cathedral, Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Angel Boy
Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.

Praying and chanting in procession for Holy Week 2013 - Paraty, Brazil.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. Holy Week, Semana Santa in Portuguese, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries, yet made unique by their specific context.