The Garachico pilgrimage yesterday recovered the splendor of previous years, those last August 16 in which the COVID-19 pandemic did not exist and in which people crowded around San Roque at the exit of the church, in the square, in procession, and paid him all the tributes “as he deserves,” said a neighbor.
The day lived yesterday was no exception despite the fact that the intense heat did not leave a minute of respite for the pilgrims, pilgrims and tourists who interspersed the party with a swim on the pier beach.
If the pilgrimage of San Roque It is a date that does not disappoint in the region, even less this year, in which both residents and visitors anxiously awaited this celebration after two years of hiatus, despite the fact that the number of participants was lower than in previous editions. Specifically, some 7,000 people, according to data from the Local Police, against more than 10,000 in 2019, the last year in which it took place on the street.
Around 7:30 a.m. the first pilgrims began to arrive at the town and port from different locations on the island, but all with the same destination: their faithful appointment with San Roque.
The solemn day began in the square that bears the name of the patron saint of pilgrims, where his hermitage is located. At the end of the Eucharist, after 10:30 a.m., the venerated image was transferred to the parish of Santa Ana. This processional transfer through the streets where the pilgrimage does not take place, with its balconies and facades adorned with rods, ribbons and traditional elements and lasting more than an hour, it has become one of the main milestones of the Fiestas and each year it attracts more people.
Accompanied by the sound of the tajaraste and thousands of flower petals, the parishioners showed their devotion by singing the Hymn to San Roque until they reached the main church where the high mass was celebrated, officiated by Diego Jesús Rodríguez Hernández, parish priest of San Juan Baptist of San Juan de la Rambla accompanied by a dozen priests. Among the invited authorities were the island councilors for Municipal Cooperation and Housing, Employment and Trade, and Sustainable Development and the Fight against Climate Change, Zebenzui Chinea, Camen Luz Baso and Javier Rodríguez, respectively.
At the end, the pilgrimage began in which 11 small carts and 23 large ones (drawn by animals) participated. Behind all of them were the folkloric groups and the parrandas, which provided the musical flavor.
Yesterday was a day of jubilation and joy for San Roque, for the people of Garachico and all the people who came from different parts of the island and also for the tourists, who did not want to miss a new edition of the Garachico pilgrimage, one of the the busiest and most beautiful in the Canary Islands.
