The city of La Laguna has its own rhythm in September. Its streets, always vibrant, are adorned with devotion and memory. The 14th brings the solemnity of Christ, the Lord of the city and the island, while the 15th embraces the tenderness of His Mother, the Virgin of Solitude. Two days, two festivities, one faithful heart that beats in unison with the faith of the people.
The Unbreakable Bond
There is no child without a mother, nor a mother without a child. The Crucified Christ of La Laguna cannot be understood without the discreet presence of the one who first held Him in her arms in Bethlehem and later at the foot of the cross. Likewise, the Virgin of Solitude, in her profound silence, cannot be grasped without the face of the Son who loved to the very end.
A Spiritual Home
During these days, the Cathedral becomes a grand home for Christ. The Cathedral Chapter opens its doors and soul to welcome the Lord who blesses La Laguna. Here, faith transforms into celebration, tradition, and communion. It is the spiritual centre that reminds everyone that the cross remains a light amidst history.
Embracing Maternal Love
However, my gaze cannot be limited to this. From Santo Domingo, the parish prepares to welcome the Mother. The Feast of Solitude, so closely linked to Christ, echoes to complete the melody. While on the 14th we contemplate the glory of the cross, on the 15th we learn the depth of the maternity that accompanies, awaits, and sustains.
A Community of Faith
To be a child is to know oneself as loved. Thus, devotion to Christ of La Laguna arises from a community that recognises itself as accompanied by the unconditional love of the Son of God, who bears our weaknesses and gifts us hope. The procession, prayers, and shared silences in the Cathedral are not empty rituals but affirmations of closeness.
The Role of the Mother
To be a mother is to safeguard, to protect, to accompany. The Virgin of Solitude embodies this for the people of La Laguna, serving as a refuge and a comfort. She represents the human heart that does not give in, does not abandon, and knows how to stand firm even when life appears to shatter.
A Unified Celebration
Christ and His Mother, inseparable in the faith of the Church, are likewise intertwined in the celebrations of La Laguna. We cannot celebrate the Son without remembering the Mother; we cannot venerate the Mother without looking towards the Son. Both are part of the same love story that God has chosen to weave in our community.
Faith in Images and Processions
Therefore, September in La Laguna is more than just a calendar: it is a lesson of faith embodied in images, temples, and processions. It is a dialogue between Christ and Solitude, between the love that is given and the love that supports. During these days, the entire city learns anew to be both a child and a mother.
Renewing the Heart
As we venerate Christ and the Virgin, may the heart of La Laguna be renewed. For to believe is nothing other than recognising oneself as a child of a God who gives Himself and being embraced by a Mother who never forsakes. Between the 14th and the 15th, between Christ and Solitude, the soul of our faith beats.
