With great solemnity, devotion and participation, the residents of Haría celebrated this Tuesday the big day of the festivities in honor of the Holy Patron Saint John the Baptist.
At 11.30 am, with full capacity in the main church of Nuestra Señora de La Encarnación, the celebration of the Solemn Eucharist presided over by Jonathan Almeida, parish priest of Yaiza, began. He was assisted by fellow priests, Clemente López, parish priest of San Antonio María Claret in Altavista and Nuestra Señora del Carmen in Valterra; Francisco Javier García, parish priest of San Bartolomé and San Roque in Tinajo and Norberto Medina, titular parish priest of Haría.
It also had the collaboration of two girls in their mission as 'altar servers'. The songs for the solemn celebration in honor of Saint John the Baptist were interpreted by the Alborada Peña del Lentisco Musical Group, directed by Professor José Cruz, songs to which the parishioners also joined their voices.
Jonathan Almeida preached the Homily based on the life of Saint John the Baptist, the Jewish prophet known in Christianity as the precursor of Jesus. His story focuses on his preaching about repentance and baptism, a purification rite that he performed in the Jordan River, and on his role as announcer of the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus.
Once the Eucharist was finished, the procession began, headed by the music band of La Villa de Teguise Teguiband, directed by Professor Ayoze Rodríguez. It was followed by the image of Saint John the Baptist, the celebrating priests, the civil and military authorities presided over by the mayor of the Haría city council, Alfredo Villalba, and the parishioners.
Together they walked the streets near the church, making their entrance back through the square until they reached the church where the image of Saint John the Baptist was bid farewell with cheers and loud applause, thus putting the finishing touch to the festivities of the Holy Patron.
