The Virgin de la Peña's faithful lived a great moment with the celebration of the "Pregón" -Opening Speech- in her honour last Saturday. In this case, it was the time of María Leiva Moreno and Dolores Cuevas Madueño to narrate their many experiences throughout their lives where the saint has been the protagonist on numerous occasions. The words of these two great women touched the audience.

The Mijas people responded to the patron saint's call and the events in her honour. The ninth edition of the proclamation of the exaltation of the patron saint took place in the chapel of 'El Compás', as no devotee wanted to miss this moment. The locals showed their great devotion for their patron saint. Antonio García recalled how "my mother got better from a hard illness after the Virgin passed by my house", and even cried with emotion at the memory of what happened. Ana María Ríos, a neighbour with a business right next to the hermitage, recalled her childhood with her grandmother, a Virgin's waitress. "The Virgen de la Peña always guides my path and puts the best ahead of me. I don't need to ask her for anything", said this neighbour. Her relationship with her is very close, "as if I were a member of her family", Ana María added.

The Mijas Pueblo parish priest, Francisco Villasclaras, emphasised "the simplicity and humility that must precede an act like this, where the Virgin, the mother of all, is the centre of attention" and acknowledged the fervour the Mijas people have for their patron saint. Villasclaras invited everyone to "open our hearts and put ourselves at the service of others".  “We are in an age of grandiosity, of appearances, but I invite everyone that tonight's act serves to heal our hearts, to open them wide to the light, and for us to be prepared to share it", declared Villasclaras.

The previous herald, Fernando Torres, was handing over the responsibility to this year's two new heralds. He highlighted "their great bond with the Virgin since they were children, their great gestures and contributions, their delicacy and good work. Their hearts and good will would not fit into the Compás, given how big they are".

Two heralds

The heralds, Dolores Cuevas and María Levia, were full of simplicity and humility, sharing memories, anecdotes and experiences linked to the patron saint. They also sang songs in her honour as she is always in their lives. Dolores Cuevas recalled, "when I was five years old, my mother used to take me by the hand to the Compás to visit her. We would pray, and afterwards my mother would say: little Virgin gives me strength to get through this life. My mother was a humble and simple woman who taught me to pray, love her, and sing the old songs she knew.

María Leiva, for her part, said that "the faith I have in the Virgin I learned from my mother. She used to bring me to the chapel to pray. My mother told me to trust her as the Virgin would take care of me. My mother's words have never left my mind in the difficult and painful moments I have gone through as I have always felt that she is by my side". Stories of the past continue to be repeated today, from grandmothers to mothers and granddaughters. Their affection, devotion and love for the Virgen de la Peña are still present in the hearts of the Mijas' people.

Acknowledgements and evaluations

After this year's proclamation, the brotherhood presented the two heralds with a picture of the Patron Saint, and to the outgoing herald. Both María Leiva and Loli Cuevas received emotional applause from the audience.

Later, a new visit to the image, in its chapel. On the 29th of August, they will carry it to the parish church. The government team did not want to miss this intimate and emotional act with the Virgin, nor the Councillors.

The Councillor in charge of Fiestas, Tamara Vera (PSOE), assured that "all the acts and events in honour of our patron saint begin. Congratulations to the heralds for their fantastic job. They have made us live their experiences since they were little and have taken us to those beautiful moments that both have lived, a great day today, indeed". The First Deputy Mayor of the City, José Carlos Martín (Cs), said that "we resume these traditions. We are on the eve of our big week. The Fair's big day and the patron saint's procession. I invite everyone who wants to visit us to come as it will be a great week".

The patron saint and perpetual mayoress of Mijas is getting ready for her big day, on the 8th of September, when she will walk through the village's streets to meet all the Mijas people.

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