Since his beatification on March 25, 2017, the people of Albox have lived with great intensity their veneration of their Martyr Archpriest: Blessed Juan Ibáñez. A priest who dedicated a quarter of a century to them and whose legacy they continue to enjoy. These days, on the occasion of his liturgical solemnity, the Parish Council that promotes his devotion has organized several activities.
A SOLEMN MASS IN THE PARISH CHURCH OF THE CONCEPTION OF SAN FRANCISCO HILL
On Wednesday afternoon, the liturgical solemnity of Blessed Juan Ibáñez and his Companions Martyrs was celebrated. The Parish Church of the Conception, beautifully decorated, hosted the Holy Sacrifice in which the different parish groups participated, the Brotherhood of Saint John the Evangelist Paso Colorao, the Mayordomía Nuestra Señora del Carmen del Llano los Olleres and the Scouts Centenarios de Albox 106 del Saliente.
Don Pedro Antonio Pérez Martínez, from Albox and parish priest of Santa María Magdalena de los Molinos in Almería, presided at the Mass. Don Domingo Fernández Navarrete, also from Albox, and the parish priest, Don Antonio Jesús María Saldaña Martínez, concelebrated. In his homily, Don Pedro Antonio spoke to us about the cardinal virtue of prudence and expressed his joy at serving among his fellow countrymen.
The children of the Catechism presented the petitions of the Faithful, with all their devotion to the Blessed. Don José Masegosa Chacón directed the solemn songs, and several members of the Parish Choir of Santa María joined our Parish Choir for the occasion. At the end, while the hymn of the Blessed was played, his relic was venerated.
Finally, in the parish halls, a fraternal feast was held that lasted several hours and where there was no lack of joy.
A CONFERENCE THAT REDISCOVERS THE BLESSED’S DEVOTION TO THE LITTLE ONE
Don Antonio Pardo Díaz, president of the Blessed Juan Ibáñez Parish Council since 2015, was the master of ceremonies at a conference that aroused great interest among the people of Albox. The speaker was the rector of the Diocesan Sanctuary of Saliente, Don Antonio Jesús María Saldaña Martínez. Drawing on an interesting Pastoral Letter from Bishop Fray Bernardo Martínez Noval, from 1928, he spoke of the Blessed’s devotion to the Little One.
Specifically, Don Antonio described the prayer meeting he organised to implore a remedy for a terrible drought in February of that year. And, as he said during his speech: “I am not aware, and I am greatly surprised, that a Prelate should quote one of his priests with such respect in such ample detail in one of his solemn writings. Brother Bernardo keeps his pen quiet and, in an exceptional event, gives space to long paragraphs written by the Blessed without any fanfare. These writings of our Blessed are admirable for the spiritual portrait they offer us. His style, far removed from all ecclesiastical bombast, is admirable for its timeliness and sobriety. In my opinion, for the strength and naturalness of his testimony, no one surpasses him in speaking of the love for the Virgin of Saliente.”
A conference that lasted longer than usual, due to the contributions of the attendees and which also included the announcement that the artist Andrés García Ibáñez had finished that same day a large canvas that depicts that 1928 prayer.
PILGRIMAGE TO THE CATHEDRAL OF GUADIX, WHERE THE BLESSED WAS ORDAINED PRIEST
On Saturday morning, the Blessed Juan Ibáñez Parish Council celebrated the pilgrimage to Guadix. In this city, in 1905, Blessed Juan Ibáñez was ordained a priest.
First, the nearly one hundred people from Albox arrived at the Holy, Apostolic and Royal Cathedral Church of the Incarnation, where they were received by its Dean, Don Juan Saéz Medina. At the feet of the Patron Saint of Albox, Our Lady of Angustias Crowned, installed on the High Altar, the Holy Mass was celebrated, presided over by the canon Don Manuel Amezcua Morillas. The Eucharist concluded with the singing of the Coronation Hymn of Our Lady of the Forsaken of Buen Retiro Crowned.
Doña Encarnación Sánchez, director of the Diocesan Secretariat for the Promotion and Diffusion of Spiritual Tourism, took charge of the pilgrims from Albox and showed them the wonders of the cathedral in Guadix. A tour in which, in addition to getting to know its artistic beauty, there were moments of deep prayer.
The following day, a visit was made to some of the rooms of the Episcopal Palace, and a meditation was held in the chapel. This was the space where the Blessed took his oath, as a previous step to his priestly ordination. It is also the place where Saint Pedro Poveda was ordained a priest.
Finally, at the Diocesan House of Spirituality Blessed Medina Olmos, a meal was celebrated and the procession returned to Albox.
A DEVOTION THAT CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Although the services for the liturgical solemnity of Blessed Juan have ended, his devotion or the activity of his Parish Council has not. Many people from Albox make their way to the chapel of the Resurrection, where his relics rest, every day to deliver their offerings of candles or flowers. Also some groups of pilgrims, on their way to the Diocesan Sanctuary of Saliente, take the opportunity to venerate him and learn more about his life from the members of his Parish Council.
Furthermore, throughout the year, the Parish Council organises various commemorations to celebrate various anniversaries of the life of Blessed Juan Ibáñez. In the coming months, on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the canonical erection of the Parish of the Conception of the Hill of San Francisco, an interesting calendar is being worked on. The Brotherhood of Our Father Jesus of Nazareth, Our Lady of Redemption and the Holy Sepulchre of the Lord has also been graced by our Bishop with a relic of the Blessed and its reception is expected in the coming months.
