The town of Mancha Blanca experienced, this Thursday, September 15, the mass and procession in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows, patron saint of Lanzarote.
Like every September 15, with the first light of dawn, many pilgrims from different parts of the island head to Mancha Blanca to visit Our Lady of Sorrows on her saint's day, some to fulfill the promised promise, others to give thanks, and others to ask for help to move forward. Many participated in some of the pilgrims' masses scheduled during the morning, the first being at 9, 10 and 12 hours, with the Sanctuary's capacity allowed in full.
At 7:00 p.m., outside the square, the Solemn Eucharist was concelebrated and presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese, José Mazuelos Pérez, assisted by the parish priest of San Roque, San Bartolomé and Rector of the Sanctuary of Los Dolores, Francisco José García, plus seven fellow priests, seminarians and altar boys.
The Gospel was proclaimed by Juan Manuel Molina Benítez, the new parish priest who is joining the parishes of Teguise and Guatiza, the songs were interpreted by the members of the choirs of the parishes of San Roque and San Ginés. In his homily, the Bishop highlighted the important role that Mary has had "as mother of Jesus and of Humanity."
Before the Eucharist ended, the Bishop mentioned the request he received from the island of La Palma when the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted, asking if he could move the image of Our Lady of Sorrows, just as it stopped the volcano in Lanzarote, to do the same in La Palma.
With the singing of the hymn to the Virgin, the celebration was concluded, which once again was followed by the men and women who gathered in the Plaza de Mancha Blanca, and which was attended by the president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, María Dolores Corujo, councilors, the mayors of the seven municipalities and the councilors and a broad representation of senior military and civilian officials of the island.
The procession, headed by the Peña de San Roque de Tinajo music band directed by Professor Orlando Morales, followed by the clergy and authorities, accompanied the image of Our Lady of Sorrows, on its journey around the Sanctuary where it was bid farewell with applause and cheers.
