By Francisco Castillo / Photo: Ginés Ruiz
THE EVENING ON THE XXXVI ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORONATION OF LA PEQUEÑICA BEGINS THE ACTS OF THE ROMERÍA DEL SALIENTE 2024
On the evening of the first Sunday in August, the arcades of the Cloister of the Sanctuary were filled with music and emotion to celebrate the XXXVI anniversary of the Papal Coronation of the Little One.
The volunteer Ms. Natalia Carrillo Reche led the event, accompanied by the chords of the Musical Group Trío Da Music thanks to the Most Excellent City Council of Albox. In addition to the string music, our volunteer and expert poster artist, Ms. María del Saliente García Segovia, proclaimed fragments of the “Prayer of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which all nuns must recite” by Saint Thomas Aquinas, on the occasion of the seven hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the death of the great Angelic Doctor.
LADY DRESSED IN SUN, POSTER FOR THE 2024 PILGRIMAGE AND COVER OF THE III BULLETIN
Mr. Francisco José Castillo Caparrós, responsible for Communications at the Sanctuary, was in charge of unveiling the impressive poster by the Carmona artist, Doña Nuria Barrera Bellido, which was presented by the painter herself, who travelled from Seville to the Sanctuary to explain her work; an oil painting on Belgian canvas, loaded with symbolism, in which the image of the Little One stands out, enveloped in the evening sun of Monte Roel on her silver float adorned with tuberoses.
That same poster, which presided over the cloister of the Sanctuary from the beginning of the evening, was featured on the cover of the third issue of the Bulletin of the Diocesan Sanctuary of Saliente, which includes the latest news from the last year, as well as various contributions from local writers and devotees of the Little One from all over Spain. The veteran journalist and volunteer, Mr. Antonio Pardo Díaz made a detailed presentation of it.
Next, the young people who make up the group “El Ajuar de la Pequeñica”, through Don Miguel Ángel Reche Berbel, a member of the Sanctuary’s communications office, announced the status of their project for the upcoming Holy Jubilee Year 2025. Miguel Ángel announced that these days the work on embroidering the simpecado has begun in the workshop of Don José Manuel Martínez Hurtado from Granada, expressing gratitude for the support received during this last year and encouraging the devotees of La Pequeñica to continue collaborating with their contributions so that the Jubilee Offering will soon become a reality.
A DOZEN WINNERS OF THE PATRONAGE MEDAL
The most emotional moment was when the secretary of the Sanctuary, Mr. Juan Navarrete Ortega, called the twelve winners to collect their “Medal of Patronage”. On this occasion, the highest distinction of the Sanctuary was received by Mrs. Alicia Pastor Oller, Mrs. Aurelia Carrillo Carrillo, Mrs. Angela Navarro Sanchez, Mr. Manuel Pleguezuelo Alonso, Mr. Jose Juan Simon, by Mrs. Maria Jesus Segovia Molina – on behalf of the ONCE of Almeria -, the Rev. Mr. Francisco Jerónimo Ruiz Gea, Mrs. Carmen del Águila Pérez, Mrs. Mari Carmen Martinez Ruiz, Mr. Francisco Martinez Botella, Mr. Claudio Hugo Antonio Romano, and Mrs. Nuria Barrera Bellido. All of them received warm applause and took the floor to thank such recognition for having distinguished themselves in promoting devotion to the Little One and helping the enterprise of this Holy House.
The rector, Mr. Antonio Jesús María Saldaña Martínez, also said a few words of thanks: “Since this Vigil has commemorated the doctrine of Saint Thomas, it would be interesting to return to one of his teachings. Faith is a gift from God, but it requires a positive will on our part. Will to believe and, with his grace, act accordingly. I am pleased that, on this altar of Roel, the gift of Our Lady corresponds to many good and generous wills. For this reason, my congratulations and encouragement to continue offering it.” In addition to practically all the associations and brotherhoods of Albox and other towns in Almanzora, the Mayor, Mrs. María del Mar Alfonso Pérez, and other councillors of the Villa attended the solemn ceremony. Also the Deputy Mayor of Oria and the Territorial Delegate of the Junta de Andalucía, Mr. Antonio Bartolomé Mena.
SOLEMN HAIL TO OUR LADY OF THE CROWNED SALENT
A solemn Salve, officiated by Don Antonio Garrido Colomina, parish priest of Santa María in the city of Cazorla in the temporary chapel of the Cloister, served to congratulate the Little One on the anniversary of the Papal Coronation. The organist of the Sanctuary, Doña Rosabel Oller Sevilla, directed the songs that were sung.
Finally, a cocktail served by the Hospedería – Restaurante del Saliente on the second of the Roel terraces, decorated with the warm light of numerous candles, put the finishing touch to the event that marks the beginning of the Romería 2024; and that will bring us together on September 1st to the IV Exaltation by the professor and writer from Albox, Mr. José Antonio Sáez Fernández.