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The butler of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Las Nieves, on the mountain of Teguise, became the town crier of the 2013 festivities. The parish priest Alejandro Santana was in charge of presenting the town crier Benjamín Díaz Villalba, who began his proclamation this Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Díaz Villalba told of his experiences and explained that since his childhood he has collaborated both with the parish church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Teguise, and in the Sanctuary of Las Nieves. He became much more involved in the latter temple after the death of Rafael Cabrera in 1984.
The town crier had words of praise for José Fajardo, a priest who greatly influenced him due to his laborious vocation of commitment to the parishioners. Díaz Villalba remembered many neighbors and friends whom he did not want to mention in case he forgot someone, since they have all contributed their commitment to the festivities and to the life of the parish.
Benjamín Díaz Villalba is responsible for the Sanctuary of Las Nieves being open every Saturday. In addition, he personally takes care of the maintenance, cleaning and, especially, the care of the image of the Virgin.
On this special day, the town crier was very supported by his wife Carmelina and his three daughters, as well as by neighbors and friends, who filled the Sanctuary. After the proclamation, Holy Mass was celebrated and, immediately afterwards, the Villa de Teguise Polyphonic Choir, directed by Nuvi Tavío, performed several songs and ended with a song to the Virgin of Las Nieves.
Next Monday, Las Nieves Day, Eucharists will be celebrated at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. At 12:00 noon, the solemn religious service will begin, presided over by Higinio Sánchez Romero, parish priest of Santa María de Guía, in Gran Canaria. Next, the procession of the image of the Virgin will be held. In the afternoon, at 6:00 p.m., another Eucharist will take place.