When August 5 arrives, many pilgrims head to the Teguise mountain with the first light of dawn to meet Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves. Some make the journey to thank her and others to ask for help. On Tuesday morning, the dense fog that covered the mountain refreshed the earliest pilgrims, making the journey easier. Once the journey was completed, outside the religious precinct was the Councilor for Festivals and Culture of the Teguise City Council, Andoni Machín Barrera, surrounded by the staff of his departments, inviting them to taste a glass of chocolate with churros or sponge cake.
As is traditional, the residents of the municipality of Haría also join this pilgrimage, a very large expedition departing from the square at 7:30 a.m. climbing the Paseo Real, until reaching the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves, thus fulfilling their promises.
The religious services scheduled for the Central Day in honor of Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves began at 8:00 a.m., at 10:00 a.m. with the celebrations of the Pilgrims' Eucharists; as well as at 12:00 p.m. the Solemn Eucharist was celebrated, presided over by Agustín Sánchez Pérez, Judicial Vicar and parish priest of Nuestra Señora del Carmen and Nuestra Señora de Luz in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Assisted by fellow priests Juan Carlos Medina, parish priest of San Ginés and episcopal vicar of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Graciosa, Archpriest of Lanzarote; Javier Sánchez, chaplain of the Navalcarnero prison in Madrid; Pedro Bermúdez, parish priest of La Victoria de Acentejo in Tenerife; and Juan Manuel Molina, parish priest of Teguise. The songs were enlivened by the Parish Choir of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Teguise.
Once the solemn Eucharist was finished, the procession began, led by the Teguise Teguiband music band. Followed by the image of Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves, carried on the shoulders by the devoted porters, who took turns during the tour carried out around the sanctuary. They were followed by the celebrating priests, authorities and the parishioners who cheered and applauded as they passed.
Upon returning, a small recess was carried out, placing the image on the front of the Sanctuary, while the members of the Music Band offered a processional march that was greatly applauded by those present. Applause that sounded again with more intensity when the image of Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves crossed the portico of the Sanctuary.
The religious services ended at 6:30 p.m. with the celebration of the Eucharist offered for the faithful departed. Next Saturday, with the celebration of the Recitation of the Holy Rosary and the Eucharist at 4:30 p.m., the festivities in honor of Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves are closed.
