Photos: Sergio Betancort
The island of La Graciosa devoutly celebrated the main day of its festivities this Monday with the celebration of the maritime procession in honor of its patron saint, the Virgen del Carmen.
At 12 noon, the Solemn Holy Mass was celebrated in honor of the patron saint of sailors, presided over by the parish priest of Haría and La Graciosa, Norberto Medina, who was assisted by his colleague Germán Cristiano Fernández, parish priest in Firgas (Gran Canaria), who for nine years also served as a priest in Haría and on the eighth island.
The songs for the celebration were performed by the Iris del Mar Choir from Valterra. The mass ended with the Salve Marinera and a great ovation of applause that resounded strongly inside the church.
In the afternoon, at 5:00 p.m., the Word of God was celebrated. At its conclusion, the Tejeguate Group, from the municipality of La Frontera de El Hierro, made its entrance into the church to the rhythm of titos and drums with its dancers at the head to offer Our Lady of Carmen the traditional 'Dance of the Virgin'.
The boat 'Mar de Lanzarote' carried the Virgin this year
Next, the procession began, led by the Tejeguate Group, followed by the image of the Virgin carried on the shoulders of the sailors of La Graciosa, the celebrating priests and many parishioners who accompanied her to the dock, where the boat 'Mar de Lanzarote', owned by Alexis Hernández, was waiting for her, who this year had the honor of carrying the patron saint of sailors, who was also accompanied by many other boats along the coast of La Graciosa.
After the maritime procession, the image of the Virgin was placed on the stage installed on the esplanade of the dock, where she received the offering from the Tejeguate Group of El Hierro and the parrandas El Lagar de Teseguite and Altaja, who offered the most traditional Canarian songs and dances. There was also a moment for poetry by some children, as well as for a song to the Virgin offered by Carmen Dolores Rodríguez.
Winner of the 'Inocencia Páez' poetry contest
The name of the winning poem of the 'Inocencia Páez' contest was also announced. Her daughter Ángeles was in charge of announcing the name of the winner, who was Isabel Vidal, from the island of Tenerife, with the poem entitled 'The Queen of Our Sea'.
After the offering, the image of Our Lady of Carmen, accompanied by the numerous parishioners amidst cheers and applause, returned to the church, thus ending the great day in which sailors and families of La Graciosa honored their patron saint.
