By Francisco Castillo
THE BISHOP VISITS LLANO DE LOS OLLERES TO HONOUR DON DOMINGO FERNÁNDEZ NAVARRETE
On Saturday morning, on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the dedication of the Parish and Votive Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, the Prelate of Almeria celebrated a solemn Mass and paid a warm tribute to this beloved priest from Alboja who has recently retired.
A SOLEMN ANNIVERSARY
Five years ago, on 17 December 2017, the Parish and Votive Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen in the Albojense village of Llano de los Olleres was dedicated and consecrated. This temple, whose origins date back to a vow made by the villagers during the cholera epidemic of 1860, was intensely reformed and ornamented with the tenacity of its parishioners. A year later, in 2018, the Mayordomía de Nuestra Señora del Carmen was canonically erected and, since then, its stewards have continued to watch over the careful embellishment and worship of this beautiful Marian enclave.
Taking advantage of this event and with the aim of paying homage to the priest Domingo Fernández Navarrete, a native of this village who retired a few months ago, the Bishop Antonio Gómez Cantero paid a visit. He was welcomed with flowers and the affection of the good villagers; he presided over the solemn celebration of the Mass which, in addition to the honoured priest, was concelebrated by the parish priest, Don Antonio Jesús María Saldaña Martínez and the parish priest of Santa María, Don Antonio José Romero Villegas. The choir, directed by Doña Julia Pardo Granados, performed the traditional melodies of the «Misas de Gozo» with songs composed especially for the occasion.
«I FEEL AT HOME».
During the endearing homily, which was listened to by a large representation of the Cofradías and authorities of Alboja, the Bishop happily confessed, «I feel at home». Recalling his experience of rural life in Palencia, he sang of the beauty of village life and praised the good taste of the villagers in decorating their church so beautifully. But, above all, he stressed the mission of building community in this synodal stage of the Church’s life. With great tenderness, he spoke in detail about the pastoral ministry of Don Domingo and asked that his marvellous example continue to raise up priestly vocations as it has done up to now.
He then blessed the new altarpieces of the Santísimo Cristo de la Salud and the Benditas Ánimas del Purgatorio. Both have been made in the Lorca workshops of Don Juan Larios and have been donated by Don Domingo himself. The impressive new door, with its stained glass windows with Marian motifs and its Granada lamp, was also blessed.
«I WILL TRY TO COME BACK TO CELEBRATE SAINT ANTONIO».
The most emotional moment came during the thanksgiving, which, with tears running down her cheeks, was pronounced by the Mayordoma Mayor, Doña Juana García Carmona. Looking back on all the experiences of the last few years, she gave out various gifts and a special distinction to the young artist German Pardo Oller who had designed the original poster for the event.
Particularly funny was when, after the Bishop was forced to refuse the dates he proposed to return to the village, he invited him to celebrate his feast day in Llano de los Olleres on the same day as St. Anthony of Padua’s feast day.
Finally, in the Casa Mayordomía, a fraternal picnic was held in which everyone took part and in which the characteristic «cuerva», typical of the hard-working Albojense countryside, was not missing.