After having enjoyed a magical night lit by bonfires and dawn dancing, the residents of the town of Haría, still with a hangover, got up early to accompany the Patron Saint Juan Bautista on his saint's day.
The main church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación showed off its best clothes on such a special day with the permitted capacity full of the earliest parishioners, with the latecomers staying at the entrance door. At 11.30 am the solemn Eucharist began, presided over for the first time by the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of the Canary Islands, Monsignor Cristobal Déniz, who was assisted by six fellow priests.
The songs for this special celebration were enlivened by the musical group Alborada Peña del Lentisco, which is directed by Professor José Cruz. The Auxiliary Bishop Monsignor Cristobal Déniz in the Homily made an extensive review of the life and work of San Juan Bautista, congratulating the Catholic community for the patron saint festivities and their participation in the Eucharist. Minutes before the end of the celebration, Norberto Medina, parish priest of Haría with microphone in hand, thanked everyone for their great collaboration in order to celebrate the festivities of San Juan Bautista one more year, since without their collaboration it would not be possible. In addition, he announced that the president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, present there, had reached an agreement to restore the image of San Juan Bautista, a 17th century carving by an anonymous author, news that was received with loud applause from the parishioners.
After the solemn Eucharist, the procession proceeded through the main streets of the town, led by the music band 'Teguiband' from the town of Teguise, followed by the image of San Juan Bautista, the Auxiliary Bishop Cristobal, celebrating priests, civil and military authorities headed by the host mayor Alfredo Villalbaa and the parishioners. Back at the church, the image was dismissed with cheers and applause
