As tradition dictates in the seaside neighborhood of Valterra, at 7 in the morning this Sunday and with the ringing of the bells and the Salve Marinera, the neighbors with the parish priest, Nicanor Bermúdez, set off carrying the image of Carmen to tour the streets praying the Holy Rosary of La Aurora. They finished the walk in the church and later enjoyed a glass of chocolate with churros in the parish halls.
At seven in the afternoon, the neighbors and parishioners from neighborhoods of Arrecife returned to participate in the Solemn Holy Mass in honor of Our Lady of Carmen in the church that was decorated for the occasion.
With the entrance song, the Eucharist began, presided over by the parish priest Nicanor Bermúdez, who was assisted by the Lanzarote deacon Alejandro Carmona Arrocha, who will be ordained a priest on September 9 in the Cathedral of Santa Ana in Gran Canaria by Bishop José Mazuelos. Alejandro was also in charge of preaching, beginning to tell about his experiences in Valterra during his childhood, where he began helping the late parish priest Agapito Martín, and ended up reviewing the content of the corresponding readings.
Once the Eucharist was finished, the image of the Virgin began its processional route through all the streets that make up the 10 blocks of the old houses and as it passed from the rooftops the neighbors threw flower petals and the firecrackers that at times managed to drown out the musical chords of the Music Band 'La Unión Musical de Lanzarote' directed by Professor Pepe Artiles who accompanied the entire processional route.
Back at the church, the members of the Los Simplones musical group were waiting for them, led by Enrique Martín, who sang them a song with stanzas like this: "I would like to tell, what I feel when I sing, but I can't find the words to express myself well, there is no one to describe the sensations, the moments, the nerves and the emotions are countless." After the song, which was widely applauded, they presented her with a bouquet of flowers that they placed at the feet of the Virgin.
Next, the neighbor Ana Vizcaíno dedicated a poem to her that was widely applauded by the public. With the chords of the Salve Marinera, the image of Our Lady of Carmen entered the church, thus ending a day dedicated to the Patron Saint of sailors.