The Basilica of Candelaria It is one of the places in Tenerife that receives the most visitors during the year. The home of the patron saint of the Canary Islands applies some measures to facilitate the stay of the faithful in the temple, inform about religious activity, in addition to remembering the rules that govern access and stay in this place. For this, the Dominican community placed six screens in the columns of the royal Marian sanctuary.
From them, the faithful and curious who receive the reminder that “pets are not allowed inside the Basilica”, a “sacred place” to which one must “enter with appropriate clothing“, the message “flower promises. Better to transform them into food for those most in need” and the schedule of the Eucharists, the sacrament of Reconciliation, the prayer of the Holy Rosary and the opening of the Basilica are facilitated.
Soon, it will be incorporated into the screens information about the history of the Basilica, of the Virgin of Candelaria, dates of interest and curiosities. In addition, the mass will be projected to facilitate the vision of the altar at times when the large presence of parishioners.
During the year that has elapsed since its installation behind each column (taking advantage of the placement of security cameras), the response “has been positive, even tourism has liked it. The reactions against it are few,” explains the subprior, Dailos Melo, for whom there are some technical details to polish so that the system works perfectly.
some rules
Melo maintains that in the Basilica of Candelaria there are no different rules from those of all the temples. “These are the norms that any Christian church in the world has,” says the subprior. A sign warns that you cannot enter wearing a swimsuit, you must remain silent, it is forbidden to take photos or record videos, animals, drinks and the use of mobile phones are not allowed.
Information that is repeated through the screens, in which one of its eight messages includes a clear legend: “Sacred place. Enter with appropriate clothing”, a text that is accompanied by a designed image in which two male and female figures can be seen. female next to a prohibited sign next to the drawings dressed in sportswear, while the sign in front is at the height of the figures dressed in long.
“You can’t go to a church dressed in any way, not even in a bathing suit, like you come here just from the beach”
“Everywhere there are rules to follow. You can’t go to a church dressed in any way, not even in a bathing suit, as people come here just coming from the beach, or, as they sometimes come, with T-shirts that seem to be wearing nothing There is a certain delicacy with the sacred place that you are going to enter”, defends Dailos Melo.
The subprior understands that “common sense” must be applied, as in the case of the prohibition of access with pets, “because there are allergy sufferers, because it is a sacred place where people go to pray in silence and because we do not have to pick up pee and poop.”
The Dominican parents are already immersed in the preparation of the feast of the Virgin on August 15.
