After two years where the onomastics of the Virgin of Candelaria (February 2) had to be held almost in privacy and with the sanitary distancing measures, the Villa Mariana returned to live yesterday the festivity of the image to which it owes its name, with thousands of devotees, coming from all parts of the Isla -more than fifty buses-, to attend the different masses of the day, visit the Patron Saint or procession with her around the square after the midday Eucharist, officiated by Bishop Bernardo Álvarez and sung extraordinarily by the Orfeón Peace.
Candelaria recovers, after two years, normality at the patron saint’s party. FRAN PALLERO
Candelaria recovers, after two years, normality at the patron saint’s party. FRAN PALLERO
Candelaria recovers, after two years, normality at the patron saint’s party. FRAN PALLERO
Candelaria recovers, after two years, normality at the patron saint’s party. FRAN PALLERO
Candelaria recovers, after two years, normality at the patron saint’s party. FRAN PALLERO
Candelaria recovers, after two years, normality at the patron saint’s party. FRAN PALLERO
Candelaria recovers, after two years, normality at the patron saint’s party. FRAN PALLERO
Candelaria recovers, after two years, normality at the patron saint’s party. FRAN PALLERO
Candelaria recovers, after two years, normality at the patron saint’s party. FRAN PALLERO
Candelaria recovers, after two years, normality at the patron saint’s party. FRAN PALLERO
Candelaria recovers, after two years, normality at the patron saint’s party. FRAN PALLERO
Candelaria recovers, after two years, normality at the patron saint’s party. FRAN PALLERO
Candelaria recovers, after two years, normality at the patron saint’s party. FRAN PALLERO
Candelaria recovers, after two years, normality at the patron saint’s party. FRAN PALLERO
Obispo Pérez Cáceres street hosted the civic procession and the transfer of the Villa banner to the Basilica, an act headed by the mayoress, Mari Brito, and the Local Corporation, with the participation of the Las Candelas Music Band, directed by Mauro Fariña Alonso, and the Gala Police of Candelaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Later, the mass began, after being delivered by Mari Brito and the president of the Canary Islands Parliament, Gustavo Matos, at the feet of the Patron Saint.
In his homily, the bishop referred to the Christian meaning of Candelaria, after Mary appeared in the Temple, before the elders Simeon and Ana, with her son, a candle and two pigeons. Candlemas means salvation, because “there is no greater sacrifice than doing the will of God”, as the apostle Santiago said and “the candle illuminates that path”. It means offering, because “the child Jesus was presented in the Temple”, and meeting, because, “as Simeon said, now I can die in peace, because the Messiah has arrived”. Bernardo Álvarez insisted that in order to put an end to conflicts, abuses, mistreatment and crimes, we must go “to prayer and let Mary present us to the Lord.”
Mari Brito, who wore a spectacular headdress, the work of Marisa By Loreiro (a piece by Candelaria inspires me), stated that “after these two difficult years, this is the first party that is celebrated as it was before the pandemic, and it couldn’t have been better. Many people have come to the municipality to experience this day and we are happy that everyone feels welcomed under the mother’s mantle and can express what she feels. We strive to take care of and respect that the people can experience all this and I believe that it has been achieved these days ”.
Authorities
Both events were attended by Sergio Nuez and Laura Quintana, representing the sister municipality of Teror, as well as representatives of the Mayor’s Office of different municipalities in Tenerife and authorities from the Cabildo and Parliament, such as their presidents, Pedro Martín and Gustavo Matos, respectively.
After the mass, the procession around the square took place, which ended with the rain of flyers. During the afternoon, Candelaria continued to receive those interested in meeting La Morenita, highlighting the offering of drumbeats by the Tafuriaste Cultural Association, which gave way to the Holy Rosary and the Eucharist at six in the afternoon, where they they presented the boys and girls born 40 days ago to the Patroness, as Mary did with Jesus.
The new prior, Juan Manuel Martínez, and two generals made their debut
The authorities did not want to miss the Candelaria festivity yesterday, in which the Dominican Juan Manuel Martínez made his debut as prior and rector of the Basilica, while among the authorities, in this case the military, there were two new faces, the new head of the Command of the Canary Islands, Julio Salom, and the chief general of the Civil Guard in Tenerife, Juan Hernández, as the bishop recalled in his greeting before beginning the homily. There was a broad representation of politicians from Tenerife, the consular body and the military and security forces, as well as priests from parishes on the island.
