San Antón, patron saint of animals, has once again left beautiful images of the celebration. The animals have been the protagonists of this festivity which has become a tradition in Mijas. Hermán Marcel, priest of the Inmaculada Church since not long ago, made his debut in Osunillas blessing the pets. The stewards of San Antón have kept the tradition since 1981. Here the tribute to San Antón becomes an excuse to highlight traditions such as the preparation of the famous 'callos' (tripe), which are carefully prepared by generations of local people, or the tasting of palm hearts.
- El colectivo Mayordomos de San Antón y vecinas de la zona se han encargado de preparar los típicos callos.
- F. M. ROMERO
As every year we start with the sound of the conch shell, the ringing of the bell to call all the neighbours, at twelve noon mass is celebrated, then in the square is the blessing of the animals, and later we play the wheel", said Toñi Barranquero, president of Stewards of San Antón. Throwing 'chinitas' (stones) at the saint to find a partnet is another traditional part of the festivity. "It's been 70 years since I met my wife, Anita, dancing in the rueda, we have never missed San Antón", a neighbour from Mijas Pueblo told us.
- Una de las tradiciones más vistosa y alegre de esta celebración es la rueda.
- F. M. ROMERO
"It is my first year here in Mijas and here in San Antón, I did know about this, because when I was in the seminary with Father Paco he brought us here and it was a very nice experience", explained Hermán Marcel, parish priest of the church of the Inmaculada in Mijas Pueblo.
The celebration was attended by part of the municipal corporation, headed by the mayoress of the town, Ana Mata (PP), who defended that we must "be faithful to good traditions, those that unite us and, above all, that allow us to spend a some time together, San Antón has a deep-rooted tradition in Mijas because of the importance that the pack animals used to have".
It is one of the most deeply rooted festivities in Mijas. "We thank the stewards of San Antón for maintaining and respecting these important traditions as we have seen today, not only to enjoy this beautiful mass but everything that happens in San Antón", said the councillor for Festivities, Silvia Marín (PP).
For his part, Vox councillor Eloy Belmonte declared that "it is one of the most important festivities in the municipality, in fact it has become something historical, it reminds us of where we come from, of when we blessed the animals, of that rural Mijas".
For the spokesman of the socialist municipal group, Josele González, "to come and enjoy the festivity, especially in the area of La Batana, in the chapel of San Antón, for another year, is a source of satisfaction, it is one of the oldest traditions of our municipality and anchored in this spectacular place".
Festivity and tradition go hand in hand in this sanctuary located in one of the most spectacular spots for its views.
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