The Friday of Sorrows – Viernes de Dolores, in Spanish - is observed by many Christians towards the end of the Lenten season, on the Friday before Palm Sunday. It is a very solemn day of remembrance of the pain of the Blessed Virgin Mary, inflicted upon her throughout the life of her son Jesus. In Mexico, many communities set up special altars to the sorrowful mother of Christ, and some people arrange them at home, as well; friends and fellow worshippers, visiting for prayer, are invited to partake of refreshments afterwards, such as horchata (rice-based), Jamaica (hibiscus), and in some states, particularly Queretaro, Guanajuato and Zacatecas, a beet-based concoction with chopped fruit, so traditional, that it is known as agua de cuaresma – Lenten Water ... click on title for more
