Barranco Hondo, a town in Candelaria and part of El Rosario, shows profound devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary, welcoming her with a large procession and an emotional ceremony
Yesterday afternoon, Saturday, Our Lady of the Rosary commenced a pilgrimage that will take her to visit all the parishes of El Rosario over the next month, celebrating her canonical coronation. At 5:00 PM, she left the hermitage of Machado to begin her journey, with Barranco Hondo being her first stop. This village, shared by the municipalities of Candelaria and El Rosario, is united by a deep reverence for this Marian image.
During the procession, there was a first stop at El Calvario de Machado, where the Mayor of El Rosario, Escolástico Gil, and the parish priest of the hermitage of Machado, Aníbal Hernández, conducted the inauguration and blessing of a commemorative mosaic that will serve as a lasting reminder of the beginning of this historic pilgrimage. From there, the journey continued, filled with devotion and cheers for the Virgin.
Upon arriving in Barranco Hondo, the procession was joined by the parish priests of San José (Barranco Hondo), José Ángel Lantz Gartzia, and Nuestra Señora del Rosario (El Tablero), Aníbal Hernández Socas, alongside the Brotherhood of Christ of the Good Death and the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Rosary. Representatives from the councils of Candelaria and El Rosario were also present, accompanied by the San Miguel Cornet and Drum Band from La Laguna. Throughout the route, several musical performances were contributed by local residents, including violinist Javier Alonso at El Calvario and saxophonist Paco Rodríguez at La Hoya, where, upon reaching the square, Julia Tapia Mascareño sang the “Ave María.”
During the official welcome ceremony, speeches were given by parish priest Fray José Ángel Lantz Gartzia, Mayor Escolástico Gil of El Rosario, and Mayor María Concepción Brito of Candelaria. The day concluded with a Mass celebrated by Fray José Ángel Lantz Gartzia and D. Aníbal Hernández Socas, accompanied by the Chajoigo Folkloric Group.
Mayor Escolástico Gil of El Rosario reflected on the close ties that bind the two municipalities and their shared devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary. “We could not begin this pilgrimage, commemorating the canonical coronation of Our Lady of the Rosary, without having the image visit the town of Barranco Hondo, which connects both rosarieros and candelarieros with a special devotion. Hence, I know this week, during which the Virgin will stay in the parish of San José before moving on to the church of San Isidro, is filled with particular joy and is very much anticipated by the local community.”
Meanwhile, Candelaria’s Mayor María Concepción Brito highlighted the communal spirit of the celebration: “Today the image has crossed into the village, and Barranco Hondo has brought forth its finest offerings: bells, flowers, bunting, lights, music, devotion, and tenderness. And something more: that uniquely ours way of looking into each other’s eyes and opening our arms. It is an honour to have her here. We will care for and protect her this week as one would cherish something irreplaceable.”
Next Saturday, August 30, the image will depart on a trailer from the parish, following the streets of San José and Alcalde Antonio Hernández Marrero, heading towards the General South Road, to the parish of San Isidro Labrador in El Chorrillo, where she will remain for the following week.
