Thousands of Paraguayan Catholics met again this Thursday to venerate the Virgin of Caacupé, patron saint of the country, during the Marian celebrations in the town that gives it its name, 55 kilometers from Asunción.
After two years of limitations due to the covid-19 pandemic, the devotees of that country have once again congregated in the vicinity of the Basilica of Our Lady of Miracles, to participate as every December 8 in the central mass in honor to the virgin
The faithful, who began the novena that precedes the festivity on November 28, walked en masse during the early hours of this Thursday to avoid the sun and high temperatures, which during these days have forced the authorities to adopt measures to protect who decide to make pilgrimages long journeys.
The Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare recommended that pilgrims wear comfortable shoes and clothing and continuously hydrate.
Despite the magnitude of the heat wave, which has triggered thermometers in Paraguay to more than 38 degrees Celsius, the number of faithful who attended the main celebration this Thursday was similar to that of years before the pandemic, the authorities reported. .
On the other hand, temporary and permanent medical care posts have been installed, and ambulances, a helicopter and around 1,800 health professionals have been mobilized.
According to the Ministry of Health, some 7,111 people have been treated since the end of last November at medical posts, of which 27 were referred to hospitals.
“The main reasons for consultation are still blistering lesions, muscle pain, headache and high blood pressure,” the authorities reported.
The organizers of this Marian celebration estimate that Caacupé will receive about four million faithful between November 28 and December 15.
This pilgrimage is one of the largest in Latin America. EFE
