Photos: Sergio Betancort
The big day of the festivities in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows and having barely recovered from the day lived this Saturday with the pilgrimage and the Offering Pilgrimage, the people of Lanzarote and visitors gathered in advance in the Plaza de Mancha Blanca to visit the Lady on the day of her name day and participate in the celebration of the Solemn Eucharist.
At 7:00 p.m. the ringing of the bells announced to the parishioners the departure of the Patron Saint from her Sanctuary. Among the crowd that applauded her, she slowly advanced escorted by her Disciples and behind her the Bishop of the Diocese of the Canary Islands, Monsignor Francisco Cases Ándreu, the Vicar General, the celebrating priests and the civil and military authorities. Everyone arrived at the stage installed in the square to begin the Eucharist, which was followed with great attention by the hundreds of parishioners gathered there.
In the homily, the Bishop was very mindful of the devastating fire that devastated the island of Gran Canaria, where solidarity was present from the first moment to help those affected. He also mentioned the recent floods that some towns on the peninsula are suffering, including Orihuela, his hometown, which is why he has also received many calls and WhatsApp messages expressing solidarity and inquiring about everyone in general. The songs for the celebration were interpreted by a group of people committed to the different parishes of the island.
At the end of the Eucharist, the processional procession began, headed by the Tinajo music band led by Professor Orlando Morales, followed by the image of Los Dolores, the Bishop, celebrating priests, authorities and the multitude of parishioners who praised and applauded her as she passed. Upon arriving back at the Sanctuary and standing in front of the crowd, the music band paid tribute by performing the Anthem of the Canary Islands, which received applause from those gathered there. Then, while the image of Our Lady of Sorrows passed through the portico of the Sanctuary, the cheers were heard again, mixed with applause and the ringing of the bells, thus ending a very special day where the people of Lanzarote and many visitors pay tribute to the Lady.
