Radio Lanzarote announcer Francisco José Navarro was in charge of delivering the opening speech at the beginning of the San Marcial de Rubicón festivities, in Femés. Before a large audience, Navarro told the story of the saint and asked for more in-depth study of "his life." In addition, he stated that it had been "an honor to share" this opening speech with all the residents of Femés. "We must motivate the new generations to continue investigating the life and work of San Marcial de Rubicón, because only in this way will we continue to champion his evangelizing legacy," he said.
Francisco José Navarro began by confessing that it had not been easy for him to accept being the speaker at these festivities. "When the resident of Femés and member of the Festival Committee, Ángel Rodríguez, hinted at the idea of me being the speaker, it was not at all a resounding yes. A day later, I received a call from Don Javier Camacho, Councilor for Festivals of the Yaiza City Council. There was almost no argument left to refuse the request," Navarro stated.
In his speech, the Radio Lanzarote announcer wanted to highlight who San Marcial was, "that Hebrew saint by birth and affiliated with the tribe of Benjamin, born in Ramah, a Palestinian city." In addition, he told how he arrived in Lanzarote. "They say it was by the hand of the conqueror of Lanzarote, Juan Betancourt. They named him patron saint of our island, adding the qualifier Rubicón, because this settlement was located next to the beaches of Papagayo," he explained.
Francisco José Navarro pointed out to the residents of Femés that when he was little and lived in San Bartolomé, he had not heard of San Marcial de Rubicón. It was not until he moved with his family to Arrecife that he first heard about the saint. Then, Navarro's curiosity was aroused to learn a little more about the history of San Marcial de Rubicón and he asked relatives about the life of the saint.
"They gave me a sheet from an almanac of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which told the story of the saint. This sheet did not correspond to July 7, the date on which the festival of San Marcial de Rubicón is celebrated, but rather it was dated June 30," he indicated. Later, Francisco José Navarro learned that "the universal church celebrates the feast of the saints on the day of their death."
His first visits to Femés
It was in 1974 when Francisco José Navarro first arrived at the feet of San Marcial de Rubicón, in Femés. "That year the road was not yet paved. As the car was newly bought and I didn't want it to get dusty, I closed the windows. When I started to climb the second slope, the car stopped. I put on the handbrake and tried to start it, but it wouldn't start. I got out and put a stone on the rear wheel," said Navarro, who got out of this situation with the help of a taxi driver.
Finally, Navarro managed to reach the town of Femés, but the church was closed, although he later managed to enter. "It caught my attention to see so many boats and figures hanging on the walls. I almost didn't reach the main altar to see the Saint of Femés," he indicated.
Francisco José Navarro told during his speech the times he had gone, even walking from Altavista, to this church. In addition, he said that from 1974, visits to the town of Femés were already "very fluid." "I really like participating in the celebration of Holy Mass," he said.
The event was attended, among others, by the mayor of Yaiza, Gladys Acuña, the president of the Cabildo, Pedro San Ginés, the councilor of the Government of the Canary Islands, Inés Rojas, the island director of the General State Administration, Loly Luzardo, as well as mayors and councilors from municipalities on the island, councilors of the Cabildo and representatives of the regional government. The parish priest of Yaiza, Sixto Álvarez, was also present.
The mayor, on behalf of the Yaiza City Council, presented the speaker with a diploma for remembrance. The first festive day concluded with the play back of the elderly in the town square and this Thursday the choir Gospel Voices of Houston will perform in the church of San Marcial.
