Photos: Sergio Betancort
The capital of Lanzarote celebrated the day of its Patron Saint Ginés Obispo with a great festive atmosphere. At 11:00 a.m. with the three naves of the temple full of parishioners, many of them from different parts of the island, they participated in the Solemn Eucharist. Mass was presided over by Monsignor Ángel Francisco Caraballo Fermín, Bishop of the Diocese of Cabimas in Venezuela and assisted by 18 priests. In the musical part, the Canarian Mass of Luis Prieto was performed by the Arrecife Choir directed by Professor Hernán Lorenzo, giving the celebration the magnitude required for such a special celebration. Before the end of the celebration they were congratulated by Monsignor Ángel Francisco, who said of them that "their songs encourage him to celebrate the Holy Mass with much more joy." In the homily, the Bishop spoke of the bad situation that the Venezuelan people are experiencing, where survival is becoming more unsustainable every day with great precariousness in food, health, education, security, politics, etc. "Venezuela, a nation that welcomed many Canarian emigrants, with the current situation, all those who have been able to have returned to the islands, but there are still many who do not have the necessary means to return," he explained. For all of them he asked in his prayers to which the parish priest of San Ginés and the Archpriest of the island, Miguel Hernández, also joined.
The Eucharist ended with the Hymn to San Ginés performed by the Arrecife Choir. Afterwards, the Procession began through the streets of the city led by the Music Band "La Unión Musical de Lanzarote", directed by Professor Pepe Artiles, followed by the image of San Ginés accompanied by the celebrating Bishop, priests, civil and military authorities and the numerous parishioners. Back at the church, the image of San Ginés passed through the portico of the church with the chords of the Music Band, cheers and applause, thus putting an emotional end to the great day of the Patron Saint of Arrecife, San Ginés Obispo.
To conclude the religious events, tomorrow Monday at 7:30 p.m. will be the celebration of the Eucharist offered for "the eternal rest of all the deceased".
