After a Holy Vigil, an early morning of prayer, petition and liberation. January 14th dawned in Santa Rosa, with abundant grace and blessing.
The Holy Eucharist of Departure of the Divina Pastora was celebrated outside the Sanctuary of the Divina Pastora, in the press office of the Archdiocese of Barquisimeto. It was the procession number 167 to the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Iribarren municipality. The ceremony was presided over by Monsignor Polito Rodríguez Méndez, Archbishop of Barquisimeto.
Since the night of January 13, many devotees gathered at the Sanctuary to participate in the vigil that fervently began with a Eucharist. Parishioners from other states of the country arrived early in the morning, with the faith of accompanying the sentimental patron saint of the people of Lara on a 7.5 kilometer journey to Barquisimeto.
The Eucharist was attended by 5 bishops and 130 priests from the Archdiocese of Barquisimeto and other nearby cities such as Mérida, Ciudad Bolívar, Carora and others, who together celebrated the special day, thus reflecting the deep devotion that the community feels for the Divine Shepherdess. The mass was marked by songs and prayers in an atmosphere of deep spirituality.
In his homily, Archbishop Rodríguez Méndez called for unity and hope and stressed that “we are not called to divide, but to create spaces for encounter and communion.”
Monsignor Polito invited the faithful to look to Jesus for a source of comfort and joy, especially in times of difficulty. In addition, he recalled the importance of cultivating hope and training new generations in Christian values.
As part of the Jubilee Year of Hope, the Archbishop of Barquisimeto urged devotees to visit the Holy Doors of the Archdioceses and Dioceses of Venezuela to experience the grace of reconciliation.
This liturgical festival, which began on January 5 with the Solemn Bajada, not only represents a tradition rooted in local culture, but is also a moment of unity and hope for all attendees, who renew their faith and give thanks for the blessings received.
The procession to Barquisimeto, which follows the traditional route, is a tradition that brings together thousands of faithful willing to walk alongside their patron saint, reaffirming the spiritual commitment and love towards the Divine Shepherdess.
In one of the meeting points, there was the emotional celebration, in Plaza Macario Yépez, the scene where a tribute to the Divina Pastora was performed, organized by the Mavare Orchestra and the choir of the Divina Pastora Seminary of Barquisimeto. This event, which brought together hundreds of faithful, marked a significant moment in the religious festival that honors the patron saint of the people of Lara.
The symbolic entrance to the Barquisimeto arch was initiated by the Dominican Friars and Redemptorist Fathers, who solemnly carried the image of the Virgin. The seminarians took over, carrying the sacred image on their shoulders, followed by members of the Barquisimetano Clergy, all accompanied by Monsignor Polito Rodríguez Méndez.
Father Jesús Ramírez, director of the Archdiocesan Secretariat for Pastoral Communication, welcomed all the attendees who joined the procession, highlighting the importance of this celebration, long awaited by faithful believers.
Music was a central element of the celebration. The Mavare Orchestra delighted those present with two pieces: the vibrant Mavare march and the masterful Endrina, performances that elevated the spirit of the event.
Subsequently, Monsignor Polito Rodríguez Méndez offered a greeting, filling the attendees with hope and joy, who came together in an atmosphere of reflection and devotion.
The Divina Pastora seminar also had its highlight, performing three emotional musical pieces: “Incomparable Beauty”, “Under Your Manto” and “Teach Me Mary”, which resonated in the hearts of all those present.
The emotional tribute concluded with the virgin’s farewell, performed by the Mavare Orchestra, who said goodbye to the virgin with the song “Olé.” The sacred image continued its pilgrimage along Morán Avenue to Venezuela Avenue, culminating the procession at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Barquisimeto.
The Eucharist was presided over by Monsignor Helizandro Terán Bermúdez, Archbishop of Mérida.
With information from EN…
