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What were autos sacramentales and when were they performed?

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St. Luke the Evangelist — Spanish literature St. Luke, illuminated page from the Beatus Apocalypse, Mozarabic, 975; in the Gerona Cathedral, Spain.

Autos sacramentales (Spanish for "sacramental acts") were short, allegorical plays in verse that formed a significant genre in Spanish literature, reaching their artistic peak in the 17th century through the work of Pedro Calderón de la Barca.12

These plays were specifically written to celebrate the mystery of the Holy Eucharist and were performed outdoors as part of the Feast of Corpus Christi celebrations. Historically, they evolved from animated tableaus that accompanied Eucharistic processions; eventually, they became independent dramatic performances mounted on carts and pulled to various locations within a municipality.12

While the genre began to appear in the late 16th century as a rustic form of entertainment, it was later refined by playwrights such as Lope de Vega and Calderón, who used the allegorical form to explore complex theological and moral themes. Due to accusations of irreverence, their public performance was prohibited by royal decree in 1765.12