The streets of La Laguna’s historic centre were once again filled yesterday, as on every 14th September, with the devotion and excitement of hundreds of worshippers accompanying the Most Holy Christ of La Laguna during the traditional celebration of the highlight of their festivities. It was an emotional day when both locals and visitors flocked to the city to reconnect with their Christ.
The Mayor of the municipality, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, highlighted “the pride that it brings to this institution to see the streets of our city packed from the early hours with hundreds of people eager not to miss these symbolic events for our citizens and those from the rest of the island. These moments of fervour and emotion always enhance the history of these celebrations and evoke memories of the past for many generations of Laguneros who have never wished to miss this occasion.”
The day commenced early with traditional ringing of the bells in all the city’s churches, heralding a morning filled with sentiment and tradition in the historic centre.
At 10:00, the civic-military procession began with the transfer of the Royal Standard by the Councillor for Culture, Adrián del Castillo, from the Town Hall to the cathedral, where various civil, military, and consular authorities were present. Among those in attendance were the Mayor of La Laguna, the President of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo, the President of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, and many local council members, as well as representatives from the Canary Islands Parliament and other institutions. Also participating, as every year, was a Unit of Honour from the 93rd Campaign Artillery Regiment, heirs to the traditions of the Tenerife Mountain Battery.
Once at the cathedral square, a reception was held for the official representation of the Royal House, this year led by Lieutenant General Julio Salom Herreras, Head of the Command of the Canary Islands of the Army, who was presented with the silver staff of the Pontifical, Royal and Venerable Brotherhood of Christ, before the Eucharist led by the choir of Orfeón La Paz.
According to the Diocese, this year’s mass was presided over by the Bishop of the Nivariense Diocese, Eloy Santiago, and co-celebrated by the emeritus Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela, Julián Barrio, who delivered the homily. Also present were the emeritus bishop of Nivariense, Bernardo Álvarez, and the emeritus bishop of Santander, Manuel Sánchez Monje, along with diocesan clergy and seminaries from both dioceses of the Archipelago, as well as various authorities and members of the Brotherhood and the Board of Brotherhoods.
In his homily, Archbishop Barrio urged the congregation to take Christ as their reference, “not forgetting the greatness that we have received from God’s love, avoiding judgement and instead putting in a bit of love to transform this society into one that is more humane, more fraternal, and more Christian,” the Diocese reported. “It is necessary for us to meet with ourselves, with others, and with God,” he noted, “embracing the feelings of Christ Jesus, knowing that we love God because He loved us first. This manifests itself in service to others, especially to the poor, the weak, and the little ones.”
At another point in his address, the prelate encouraged the faithful not to be ashamed of the Cross of Christ, but to “glory in it,” considering that “life is enriched by giving it away and weakened by isolation and comfort. In fact, those who enjoy life the most are those who leave the safety of the shore and passionately engage in the mission of bringing life to others.”
Monsignor Barrio concluded the homily by calling for the support of “all that is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy, everything that is virtue or merit.” “We must dare to be different if necessary to be faithful to our souls,” he emphasised.
At the end of the mass, the Nivariense bishop, who was experiencing his first solemnity of the Christ of La Laguna, expressed that it “helped him to better understand the heart of the Lagunero people and their love for the image of the Most Holy Christ,” and highlighted that it was “a great joy to be able to celebrate it today and here with the entire diocesan community. It has been a moment of grace.”
Following the Eucharist, the procession returned from the cathedral to its royal sanctuary, which proceeded without any incident, it was noted, where it would remain until the afternoon when a mass would take place at 19:00 in its patio-square, presided over by the parish priest of Santa María de Gracia and canon of the Cathedral, Norberto Hernández.
Afterwards, the Christ once again processed through the streets of La Laguna’s historic centre, visiting the convents of the Clarisas and Catalinas nuns before returning to the square of Christ, where, from 23:00, attendees enjoyed the display of the Risco Fireworks.
