“A distinct and unparalleled religious occasion that will transform La Orotava into a grand temple and an open-air art gallery.” This was stated yesterday by the Councillor for Historical Heritage, Narciso Pérez, regarding the Crucis Magno that is scheduled for March 29 at 5:00 p.m. in the municipality to celebrate the Jubilee Year, declared by Pope Francis to commemorate the 2,025 years since the Birth of Jesus Christ.
Pérez unveiled the details of the event and the promotional poster at the church of San Agustín, a sacred venue that will host this religious demonstration, alongside the mayor, Francisco Linares; the parish priest Honorio Campos; and Joshua Rodríguez, representing all the brotherhoods and penitential fraternities that will come together to create a significant gathering that enhances community spirit while simultaneously engaging in “powerful” charitable work aimed at aiding the most vulnerable groups, including the sick, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
In this regard, Narciso Pérez emphasised that “the finest pieces of the religious artistic heritage of La Orotava will be brought out into the public realm” featuring principal images associated with Holy Week Villera, such as the Christ of the Garden; The Christ tied to the column; The Christ of Mercy; The Christ of Calvary; the image of Jesus Nazareno; the dead man; The Christ of Humility and Patience; and the Christ of Forgiveness. “These are highly significant works for the history of art in the Canary Islands,” noted Joshua Rodríguez.
The Crucis procession will take place within the temple, and it can also be viewed from outside via a screen. Once it concludes, all brotherhoods and fraternities will conduct a collective transfer with the processional steps moving from the Church of San Agustín to the parish of Our Lady of Conception.
Responses through sacred art
Concurrently, this provides a unique opportunity for those seeking answers to their inquiries through sacred art.
Honorio Armas commented that the exercise of the Crucis via is one of the most significant traditions of Lent, and in this instance, it will be an “endeavour that all brotherhoods and fraternities will undertake collaboratively, aligning their intentions with those of the Holy Father to jointly attain indulgences along with the two jubilee temples of the diocese of Tenerife, namely the parish of San Pedro in Vilaflor and the cathedral of La Laguna, and to express faith beyond the confines of the temples.”
In closing, the mayor highlighted the involvement of young people in making this act of “unrepeatable faith” possible in La Orotava “with immense gratitude.”
