Three years have passed since the last time that the Virgen del Carmen walked the streets of the Cross port to embark on the fishing dock of the municipality. A wait that ended yesterday at 8:29 p.m., when the patron saint of sailors was hoisted onto the barge Nuevo San Ramón, which was waiting for her at the port of Porto. To the now traditional cry of “Nothing happens, the Virgin is on board” more than 20,000 people cheered Carmen, who set course to reign over the seas again. Minutes before, San Telmo carried almost in flight by the loaders, also lived that moment and embarked waiting for the Virgin.
From the exit of the Parish of Our Lady of France after the concelebrated mass, both images paraded through the traditional route, surrounded by the thousands of people who, excited, witnessed the passage of the venerated figures, who their porters rocked to the rhythm of the popular songs and those alive to the Virgen del Carmen and San Telmo.
Devotion to the Virgen del Carmen
Images in whose path they met families asking for protection for their children, who were hoisted before El Carmen to receive her blessing. Meanwhile, from the balconies, more songs and flower petals to accompany the terrestrial procession. A journey that was attended by the president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Pedro Martín, who, together with the mayor, Marco González, and the rest of the local Corporation, as well as other positions and civil and military authorities, formed part of the entourage who arrived at the pier to meet those thousands of people who were anxiously awaiting the appearance of the queen of the seas.
Once again, the fishing pier was the epicenter of some events that took place from the very beginning of the morning with the mass at the pier altar, which was attended by almost a thousand people, who would then enjoy the traditional hot chocolate offered by the Brotherhood of the Virgen del Carmen, who this year, after its reconstitution, fully participated in the organization of each and every one of the acts with his older brother Santiago Rodríguez at the helm. A tradition, that of boarding, which turned 100 in 2021 and which the pandemic prevented from celebrating, so that celebration is resumed this year.
On the dock, the voices of Isabel González, Tony Acedo and Chago Melián, the latter also heralding this year’s festivities, surrounded the Carmen and San Telmo before your shipment. The heartfelt and emotional interpretation of Ave Maria by Chago Melián, saying goodbye to the Virgin and San Telmo with the also classic Bendita mi Tierra Guanche, once again brought tears to the audience.
After their arrival from the sea, and back to the neighborhood of La Ranilla, the images continued their journey until late at night in a festive atmosphere, full of the emotions that were experienced on this day, the Tuesday that the Virgin returned to the sea accompanied by thousands of people. The 100 security personnel allowed the day to pass without incident.
