La Cala de Mijas will once again turn its gaze towards the sea on Thursday 16th of July to mark the feast of the Virgen del Carmen, one of the most deeply-rooted celebrations in Mijas’ Christian calendar. The image of the patron saint of sailors will be carried through the most characteristic streets of La Cala until it reaches the beach, where it will make its traditional procession on the sea.

On Thursday 9th, the parish church of Santa Teresa de La Cala welcomed the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP); the parish priest, Fernando Luque; and the president of the Virgen del Carmen Ecclesiastical Association, Rosa Espada; to reveal all the details of the big day for the Queen of the Seas.

New Developments

The ecclesiastical association is already working on preparations for a religious event that brings together numerous local residents, devotees and visitors every year. This year, among the new features, the group’s president, Rosa Espada, highlighted that “we are going to hang some pennants on the church door bearing the image of our Virgin. For the procession, we have changed the bearers’ attire: they used to wear white, but now they will wear blue and white”, a decision designed specifically for the moment when the Virgin enters the water.

Espada expressed her great satisfaction with the response from the people of Mijas. “We’re very happy this year; lots of people are taking part and many locals have got involved, which is excellent because we need to work as a team”, she said.

 

The mayoress went on to congratulate the parish association, “which is showing great strength and is keen to contribute to the enhancement of a seafaring tradition so deeply rooted in our coastline”. A tradition which, as the mayoress pointed out, adds significance to the beach bars, businesses and trades linked to the coast: “Mijas is fortunate to have a coastline that represents all those people”, she said. The mayoress also highlighted the value of this festival, through which “La Cala continues to maintain that village feel, with tradition, deep-rootedness and sentiment”, noted Mata.

The schedule of events

The events will begin on Wednesday 15th of July with a Mass at 20:00 in the Santa Teresa parish church. The parish priest of La Cala, Fernando Luque, explained that “we will bless some scapulars and celebrate our devotion to the Virgen del Carmen, which has such a rich history, such deep spirituality and such profound meaning”.

The main day will be Thursday 16th of July, with Mass, also at 20:00, followed by the procession of the patron saint of sailors through the streets of La Cala. The procession will make a stop along the way, as tradition dictates, upon reaching the sea, where the image will be carried by boat and will bless the waters. Afterwards, the procession will return to the church.

As in the previous year, the choir of the Brotherhood of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno from Alhaurín El Grande will take part in the Mass. The Mijas Municipal Band will also take part in the procession, alongside other details which the organisers are still finalising. In addition, there will be musical performances, such as that by the dance group from the Agrupación Folclórica Sur de Andalucía, directed by Rafi Cuevas, in collaboration with the Calle Torremolinos Neighbourhood Association, who will perform during the procession, specifically on Calle Torremolinos. Furthermore, following the return of the Virgin from the sea, at Plaza de El Torreón, Javier de Ana María on guitar and María Barea on vocals will perform the Salve hymn in honour of Nuestra Señora del Carmen.

Route

As for the procession route to be followed by the patron saint of sailors, after leaving the church, the image will proceed along Calle Marbella, Calle Ronda and Calle Torremolinos, enter the sea, reach Plaza de El Torreón after emerging from the waters off La Cala, continue along Calle Marbella and return to the Church of Santa Teresa de Jesús.

Mass in Calahonda

Furthermore, in the run-up to the festivities, San Miguel Church in Calahonda will also pay tribute to Stella Maris with a mass on Alhamar Beach. “We thought it best to hold it a week earlier, on Friday 10th of July at 20:00”, explained the parish priest, adding that “it will be a simple service which will also allow San Miguel Church to celebrate the feast of the Virgen del Carmel”.

Live

This year, as last year, the Mass and the procession will be broadcast live on Mijas 3.40 TV on Thursday 16th of July from 19:00. The celebration can also be followed via the website mijascomunicacion.com, as well as on YouTube and Facebook, to bring the devotion, faith and tradition of the Star of the Seas into every home.

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