The liturgical feast in honor of the Virgin of CandelariaGeneral Patron of the Canary Islands, restores its traditional program of events and their development as normal. On the eve of the Day of the candlemasfaithful and visitors will star in the most massive: the procession of Las Candelas. On February 1, 2020the coronavirus was incipient and several thousand people accompanied the image on that occasion. This Wednesday night they expect more than then.
The day begins with the Eucharist at 8:00 and 12:00. The third is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., in which the candles will also be blessed before the image of the Virgin of Candelaria goes out in procession through the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias and Obispo Pérez Cáceres streets. (or La Arena) and Los Príncipes. A layout in which the assistants carry the blessed and lit candles, as well as the prayer of the rosary.
After two years without meeting La Morenita around this act, thousands of people will gather to share and live this experience prior to the solemnity of Our Lady of Candelaria, which will take place on Thursday, the 2nd. The candle in the left hand is the iconographic element that characterizes and gives its name to the dedication of the Virgin. The Candelaria candles symbolize the triumph of the light of the gospel and the wax is one of the symbols related to the worship of souls. Until the early 1980s, this procession was called “torchlight” and is currently one of the busiest events in the town.
The mayoress of Candelaria, Mari Brito, invites the public to attend this meeting with tradition and celebrate the reason for meeting and reflection that these important dates for Candelaria promote.
Solemnity of Our Lady of Candelaria
On Thursday, February 2, the Eucharist will be celebrated at 8:00 and 10:00. At 11:30 a.m., The civic procession that carries the banner of the Villa to the first Marian temple on the Island will depart from the Town Hall to the Basilica. An act that will have the participation of the Las Candelas Music Band, directed by Mauro Fariña Alonso, as well as the presence of representatives of the Local Police of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Candelaria, who will wear gala attire. At 12:00 noon the main Eucharist of the festival should begin, which will be presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Nivariense, Bernardo Álvarez, and which will be sung by the Orfeón La Paz, from La Laguna. With the aim of bringing all those interested closer to the party in honor of the Patron Saint of the Canary Islands, the central mass will be broadcast by Mírame Televisión. Once finished, Around 1:00 p.m., the procession of the image of the Virgin of Candelaria will begin around the Plaza, ending with the rain of flyers.
But the program continues in the afternoon, at 5:00 p.m., with the offering of drumbeats and the presentation of respects to the Virgin, an act carried out by the Tafuriaste Cultural Association. The meeting will give way to the holy rosary at 5:15 p.m. and the Eucharist at 6:00 p.m., where the children will be presented to the Patroness.
February 3 is the liturgical festival of San Blas, so at six in the afternoon the image will procession to the cave that bears his name.
