On August 5, all roads and paths of Lanzarote lead to the mountain of Teguise where Our Lady of the Snows resides. Like every year, pilgrims get up early and climb up the mountain along with the dense mist that rises through the cliff of Risco de Famara, making the walk more bearable.
Upon arriving at the portico of the sanctuary, they are received by the parish priest of Teguise, Juan Manuel Molina, and in the esplanade, the staff of the Culture and Festivities departments of the Teguise City Council invites them to a chocolate with churros to regain strength.
Since ancient times, the residents of the municipality of Haría set out from the square, continuing along the 'Camino Real', the 'Mal Paso', climbing to the highest point we have in Lanzarote, the Peñas del Chache. Thus, they arrive at the sanctuary to participate in the 'Pilgrim Masses', celebrated at 08:00 and 10:00 in the morning. The arrival of pilgrims is constant throughout the day until well into the afternoon.
At 12 noon, the solemn concelebrated function takes place, a moment when many of the pilgrims cannot find a place inside the sanctuary, having to follow the celebration in the vicinity through loudspeakers. This year's celebration was presided over by Alejandro Carmona, a young newly ordained priest from Lanzarote who serves as parish priest in Casillas del Ángel in Fuerteventura and who was assisted by fellow priests Juan Manuel Molina, parish priest of Teguise, Francisco José García, parish priest of San Bartolomé and Tinajo, Rafael Tejera, parish priest of Tiagua, Muñique and Soo, and Javier Sánchez from Madrid.
After the solemn Eucharist, the procession took place, and this year the prevailing climatology on the mountain meant that Our Lady of the Snows was carried on the shoulders of the devotees through the mountain of Teguise. The municipal music band of Teguise opened the procession followed by the image of Our Lady of the Snows surrounded by the celebrating priests, the authorities, and parishioners who throughout the journey did not stop complimenting her with their cheers.
Upon returning and placed next to the portico of the sanctuary, the music band performed a procession composition, and the parish priest of Teguise, Juan Manuel Molina, very excited and very happy with how each and every one of the programmed events had unfolded, thanked the fellow priests, island institutions, and all those who came to the mountain these days to share the prayer with Our Lady of the Snows. Amid applause and cheers, on the shoulders of the bearers, she was placed on the side of the Main Altar.
The next appointment with Our Lady of the Snows will be on Saturday, August 10 at 4:30 PM with the recitation of the Holy Rosary followed by the Eucharist, thus closing her festivities.
