The Villa Mariana beat strongly once again on its big day. More than 100,000 pilgrims, arriving from every corner of the archipelago, made their way to Candelaria to pay homage to the Patroness of the Canary Islands. On the night of Thursday, 14th August, thousands of devotees and visitors gathered for the traditional Night of the Pilgrims, also known as the Vigil of the Virgin.
Amidst prayers, music, and lit candles, the esplanade in front of the Basilica transformed into a mosaic of faith and tradition, heralding the arrival of 15th August, the feast day of the Patroness. The Night of the Pilgrims is not only a moment of religious fervour, but also a symbol of Canary identity that links the present with centuries of history. Although the main celebration is concentrated in Candelaria, the custom of pilgrimage in honour of the Virgin remains alive across all the islands, where each territory pays tribute to its local patron.
“All roads lead to Candelaria” is the motto that accompanies the celebration in honour of the Morenita every 15th August. However, this year the phrase was not followed to the letter due to the maximum alert for forest fire risk and high temperatures. This has necessitated restricting the pilgrimage solely to the Camino Viejo and the TF-28, a route of 21.2 kilometres, crossing the midlands of La Laguna, Santa Cruz, El Rosario, and Candelaria.
The Big Day
As the hours passed, the Villa Mariana was packed to the brim. The Basilica welcomed pilgrims arriving on the grand day of the festivities for the Patroness of the Canary Islands. Some struggled with their fatigue and the promises that brought them there, while others arrived amidst laughter and a festive atmosphere.
The day did not begin that morning; rather, it was intertwined with the previous day as the Basilica remained open all night, welcoming those who arrived at dawn. Early on, the sound of castanets, drums, and whistles announced the arrival of the Cultural Association La Guanchería de Los Realejos, which has faithfully attended the Virgin’s feet for over twenty years.
Shortly after, at around 10:00 hours, it was the turn of the first runners of the XXXIV Floral Offering Athletic to the Virgin of Candelaria, which set off from Parque La Granja in Santa Cruz. The over 700 runners deposited a bouquet of flowers at the feet of the Morenita as a symbol of tradition.
One of the runners of the floral offering taking a photo upon arriving at the Basilica / María Pisaca
Paola Socas is from Puerto de la Cruz, but along with her family, she moved to the Interchange of La Laguna to start from there at 6:50 hours. They usually do it on the 14th, but her son had a football match, and they had to “move it to this morning.”
What drives them to make the journey is “the excitement”, but since they attended, they take the opportunity to “give thanks for what we have and for the people we have by our side,” as well as “to ask for health for our loved ones and those who come into our lives.”
Amidst Tears
At 10:35 hours, in the area next to the Town Hall, the drums and trumpets began to sound, and the military began to parade. After a round, they stopped in front of the Town Hall, and the authorities came down to conduct the military salute and receive the representative of the king, a responsibility that fell this year to the Mayor of Candelaria, María Concepción Brito.
The event began at 10:49 hours with the departure from the town hall of the president of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, the head of the Canary command, Julio Salom, and the Mayor of Villa Mariana. After being honoured by Brito, the civic procession set off for the Plaza of the Patroness of the Canary Islands, accompanied by the Las Candelas music band.
The streets bordering the square were closed off by the people who gathered on the sides to watch the military parade. Some pilgrims arrived walking, crying with emotion at having reached their destination and seeing the Morenita. A man was heard complaining about the heat, while a woman stated that the last stretch was the worst of all because she could see Candelaria in the distance, but “it feels like you will never arrive.”
Fatigue
Both Gustavo Dominguez and his group of friends have been without sleep for nearly 24 hours. They all had dinner together around 21:00, and when midnight struck, they set off from Geneto at a “normal pace”. For them, the reason for making the journey is not religious; “it’s to plan a different outing altogether.” And even though they’ve already spent a couple of hours in Candelaria, “we needed to rest and will soon return by bus home.”
Adrián Herrera, from La Florida, recently suffered a minor collarbone fracture, but that hasn’t prevented him from making the journey to Candelaria. He set off with his group of friends from the El Chapatal district as they were looking for something “easier than when we did it a year ago.”
The Patroness of the Canary Islands during the procession / María Pisaca
Last year was the first time they did it, and they decided to set off from Las Truchas — near La Caldera — and he asserts it was “quite tough due to the ascent.” However, he adds that “the difficulty was worth it to see the sunset from halfway up the mountain.” Nevertheless, he feels a bit sad not to have been able to take the same route as last time.
Although Herrera understands that safety “is paramount” and hopes the heat subsides soon “so everyone can enjoy the mountains.” His friends are waiting for him in the shade to head straight to cool off at the beach near the Basilica.
Homily Against Violence
Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, at 12:07 hours, the Eucharist commenced, presided over by Monsignor Don Eloy Alberto Santiago Santiago, Bishop of the Nivariense Diocese, and sung by the Coral Voces para la Esperanza Villa de Candelaria and the Las Candelas Chamber Orchestra.
In his homily, the bishop called to keep hope alive in the face of the “harsh reality” left by conflicts and crises that the world is experiencing. He demanded the eradication of xenophobia, violence in all its forms, and political debates marked by a lack of dialogue. He also denounced attitudes of marginalisation and disdain towards “people who are different, especially migrants.”
He warned of the “breeding ground” in which, instead of cultivating harmony and peace, hatred, violence, and intolerance are growing, with its most extreme expression in armed conflicts. He mentioned Ukraine and Gaza as prominent examples but reminded everyone that these are not the only ones, citing Yemen, Congo, and Mexico as well.
The Bishop of the Nivariense Diocese at the exit of the Eucharist / María Pisaca
He reminded that violence “is not far away” and manifests itself even in neighbourhoods and homes in the Canary Islands, particularly against women and children. He also warned about the aggressiveness of some young people in educational centres and in groups participating in sports or festive events.
Similarly, he expressed concern over the proliferation of games and films laden with violence, hate, and death, which “nourish the adolescent mind”. In response, he appealed to the Christian community to not fall into “restlessness and become builders of peace.”
The day concluded with the procession around the square, accompanied by the Las Candelas music band and the Nueva Banda de Igueste. As the Morenita traveled around the Basilica square, the arrival rate of pilgrims gradually decreased.
Suscríbete para seguir leyendo
