The cold did not prevent thousands of Tenerife people from meeting yesterday in Candelaria, from early morning until late at night, to honor the Virgin of Candelaria on her name day. The pilgrimage as such passed two centuries ago to August 14 and 15, precisely as a result of the death by hypothermia of five pilgrims from Gorgolana (Los Realejos) who could not continue the journey in Chivisaya, in the highlands of Arafo.
Since that tragic event, at the end of the 18th century, the people of Tenerife have made the pilgrimage in August, leaving the February festivity, reserved for more liturgical and less crowded acts, although there are many who continue to go to Candelaria on this date, as was proven. yesterday, just three years after the first case of COVID-19 occurred in Spain, specifically, in Hermigua (La Gomera). the emotional candlelight procession returned to illuminate the Villa Mariana, while silence fell, only broken by the prayer of El Rosario or shouts of “Long live the Virgin of Candelaria”, “Guapa” or “Long live the Morenita”.
Photo: Fran Pallero
Photo: Fran Pallero
Photo: Fran Pallero
The majority of the pilgrims arrived throughout the day at the feet of their Patron Saint, in bus excursions from the south and north of the Island, to accompany her in the procession by candlelight on her journey through the streets of La Arena and Los Princes, crowded with candelabras and visitors, especially elderly people, many fulfilling a promise, like the same man who gave the Virgin the red cloak that she wore for the first time yesterday.
The central act on the eve of Candelaria Day took place at half past seven in the afternoon, when the Eucharist began in the Basilica, officiated by the Dominican Juan Manuel Martínez, the new prior and rector since last October. At the conclusion of the mass, they went on to the traditional blessing of the candles, to later begin the procession around the square and take La Arena street and return via Los Príncipes, fortunately that no one appeared. the wind, which until the last minute made it doubtful that such an emotional procession could take place, recovered after February 2020.
“We are very happy, because today we have recovered one of the symbols of these festivities, the Candelas procession, which was interrupted by the pandemic, and which brings together thousands of pilgrims moved by fervor for the Patroness of the Canary Islands,” he said. Mari Brito, Mayor of Candelaria.
Some 5,000 pilgrims and onlookers, according to the Local Police, accompanied the Virgin of Candelaria almost in silence in the traditional and emotional procession, with the light that illuminates the faith of a carving found by the Guanches some 600 years ago and which is still the most adored religious icon of Tenerife and a large part of the Canaries. A silence that was only broken by the reading of the Rosary and the cheers to the Virgin as an accompaniment while he walked very slowly until he returned to her altar, from where today he will preside over the mass on her name day, officiated in this case by the bishop Bernardo Alvarez.
Jaime Estévez (Leomamy Florist), the person in charge of dressing the size, received praise again yesterday with the premiere of a mantle from a recent pledge donation. In addition, the Morenita carried a new silver candle in her left hand and her rostrillo (what surrounds her face) was also silver, matching her crowns. In contrast to August, where all these elements are in gold, for the first time in February the metal has been changed to silver. The candle has been made by Al Zahra Joyeros, the silver rostrillo has been made in Ciudad Real by Orfebrería Orovio de la Torre and the cloak is a silver and coral brocade by José Bartual de Valencia.
Meaning
Every February 2, thousands of people gather to celebrate Candelaria Day, a Catholic festival that commemorates the presentation in the Temple, the Purification of the Virgin after childbirth and the apparition of the Virgin of Candelaria in Tenerife.
La Candelaria is celebrated on this day in memory of the biblical passage of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem and the purification of the Virgin Mary after childbirth, to fulfill the prescription of the Old Testament Law.
The festival is known and celebrated under various names: the Presentation of the Lord, the Purification of Mary, the Festival of Light and the Festival of Las Candelas. All of them express the meaning of the party. Christ, the Light of the world presented by his Mother in the Temple, comes to illuminate everyone like the candle or candles, from which the name of Candelaria is derived.
