The pilgrimage of the Camino del Hermano Pedro will return tomorrow Saturday to travel the 19 kilometers that separate Vilaflor de Chasna with the religious space of the cave, in Passion fruit. It will take place after a two-year suspension due to the pandemic. The mayor of Vilaflor, Agustina Beltrán, highlighted the figure of Brother Pedro for the municipality of Vilaflor, being an international benchmark. In the same way, she raises it Jose Domingo Regaladomayor of Granadilla de Abona, who explains the reason for great joy at the return of the route on the 20th anniversary of the canonization of Brother Pedro.
Pedro de San José de Betancur was the first saint of the Canary Islands. He was born in the municipality of Vilaflor on March 21, 1626, and died in Guatemala on April 25, 1667 at the age of 41. The son of shepherds and farmers, he was educated by his parents who were deeply Christian and dedicated his life to serving the poor. At age 25 he arrived in Guatemala, where he founded the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady of Bethlehem (Betlemites). Pope John Paul II canonizes Brother Pedro on July 30, 2002 in Guatemala City, during his visit to the Central American country.
In 2005, the study of the revaluation of the Camino del Hermano Pedro and its adjacent paths began. The Chasna region has been responsible for recovering a symbol that has remained to this day thanks to the residents of the area. In order to unite the different municipalities of the region (Fasnia, Arico, Granadilla de Abona, San Miguel de Abona and Vilaflor de Chasna) and their population through the revaluation of a route that unites history, landscape and culture.
The path of the route is scheduled to start tomorrow at 7:00 in the morning from the Plaza de Vilaflor. Although from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., a mass will be held for walkers who wish to do so in the church of the Chasnero municipality. It begins by leaving the urban area, towards the cave, arriving at approximately 1:00 p.m., although there are other possibilities of making the journey. You can start from the Convent of Granadilla (9.30), from Charco del Pino (9.30), from the Plaza de la Cultura de San Isidro (10.30) or from the Plaza de El Médano (11.30). The cultural route consists of 19 kilometers. It lasts approximately five hours.