Calahonda celebrated the feast day of St Michael the Archangel on Sunday 27th with a day that once again brought together the municipality’s Spanish and international communities in an event that was both religious and a time for togetherness. The day began with a bilingual Mass, in Spanish and English, at the Church of San Miguel. The Christian community and local residents gathered there.

 

The parish priest, Fernando Luque, recalled the importance of this day here. “Next Tuesday 29th is the feast day of St Michael, and here in Calahonda we usually celebrate it on the preceding Sunday. A Mass is usually organised in his honour, which we hold jointly with both communities, Spanish and English, and we will also hold the procession through the local area, and of course, this time to share and be a family, or rather a community, in honour of this very special day. And the truth is that the community responds very well to this day”. For her part, Emm Saunders, a representative of the Christian community, also stated that “it is a special day, with a celebration, and we are very happy to be able to organise this get-together to see each other".

Following the sung Mass, the image of the archangel was taken on a short procession through the area to bless the place and meet local residents.

The day continued in the parish gardens with the traditional get-together lunch between neighbours and parishioners, which was also for a good cause: the funds raised will go to Cáritas to assist them in their charitable work.

The first deputy mayor, Juan Carlos Cuevas Dawson (Vox), who attended the event, stated that "for me it has been very moving. He is the patron saint of Calahonda and defender of the Church. For me, it is something very special because I grew up here and have many memories of my childhood. This feast day touches my heart deeply”.

For his part, the councillor responsible for the Foreigners Department, Mario Bravo (PP), who was also present, pointed out that “this celebration is very much appreciated by residents, especially English-speaking ones, who take part in this bilingual Mass, thanks to the parish priest and other volunteers who also help during the Mass. There are 6,500 homes in this area. Participation in Masses like this is one of the ways the population of this area integrates”.

PSOE councillor Roy Pérez also attended and assured that “as every year, we have been here in the procession participating in this day of togetherness, and it is also an intercultural and international moment. So we thank them for organising it”.

The celebration thus maintains its dual religious and social nature, fostering get-togethers between residents of different nationalities living in Calahonda.

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