A atmosphere of deep faith and meditation one lives in the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Altagraciain Higüey, where hundreds of pilgrims They have gathered since Monday night to be able to participate in the celebration of the January 21date dedicated to the patron saint of the Dominican people.
From the early hours of the morning you can see long lines of faithful waiting to go up to the altar where the painting of the Virgin Mary. Many of them have spent the night around the temple, sleeping in tents, on the ground or on inflatable mattresses, as a sign of sacrifice and fulfillment of promises.
Historic increase in pilgrims
In the surroundings of the basilica one perceives a extensive presence of civil and religious authorities and relief organizationsas well as beggars and informal sellers. The Economic Dining Rooms They offer food to attendees, while numerous families cook improvised food to share with relatives and companions.
Among pilgrims it is common to see candlesflowers, shrouds, religious paintings and other objects that symbolize gratitude or requests. The presence of numerous children is striking, some accompanied by their families and others asking for help at the scene.
In the surroundings of the basilica, dozens of vendors have set up shop, like every year, to sell paintings of the Virgincrucifixes, necklaces, sweets and typical mealstaking advantage of the massive attendance.
Stories of faith and promises kept
Among the testimonies collected is that of Maria Fulgencioan 80-year-old woman who left at 5:00 in the morning from Mount Silver to fulfill a promise he has kept for 15 years.
Dressed in white and barefoot, Fulgencio thanks the Virgin of Altagracia for saving her from a thrombosis. “As long as I have life“I will come to fulfill my promise,” he expressed. Despite his limited financial resources, he says that every year the community members of his town help him with travel and food so he can attend.
Another story is that of France Pinedaresident in Saint Christopherwho arrived after midnight with his eight-year-old daughter. Pineda explained that, during her pregnancy, she faced medical complications when she went beyond 42 weeks without going into labor.
“I promised the Virgin that, if she let me have my daughter, I would bring her dressed in blue each January 21“, he said. The girl was born a week after making the promise, and since then France has returned to the basilica several times, especially on this date.
The bishop of the Diocese of La Altagracia, Monsignor Jesús Castro Marteconfirmed that this year there has been a significant increase in the attendance of pilgrims, surpassing that of previous years.
“For days the basilica has been full; many people have been spending the night here. This is the result of the work of evangelization and the mission of the Church to announce the Gospel,” said the prelate, who positively valued the organization and deployment of the authorities.
He indicated that the security and assistance operation will remain active throughout the festival to guarantee order, medical attention and the safety of the thousands of faithful who come to pay homage to the Virgin.
Authorities highlight organization and tranquility
For her part, the provincial governor, Oil Daysiassured that the celebration has taken place so far without any major incidents.
“All the institutions of the provincial Emergency Operations Center are here: Civil defense, Red Cross, COE, 911, National Health Service, Public health, National Police, Digestett and the Mayor’s Office, working with the same goal so that this festival takes place under the established protocols”, he noted.
De Óleo reported that only minor medical caremanaged on an outpatient basis, and highlighted the calm demeanor of the population. He urged the pilgrims to respect the rules, take special care of the children and maintain an attitude of empathy and collaboration.
“Let them come to thank, to ask Our Lady of Altagracia to intercede for them and for our country before Jesus Christ,” he concluded.
The celebration of January 21 continues to consolidate itself as one of the most important and massive manifestations of faith in the Dominican Republic.
