Every year, before the holidays arrive, the Cascante Town Hall elects one of its most distinguished neighbors to pronounce the Fiestas Proclamation. This year, that distinction has fallen to the Augustinian Recollect Monsignor Francisco Javier Hernández Arnedo, Bishop Emeritus of Tianguá, Ceará, Brazil, who currently lives in the community of Monteagudo, Navarra.
With a couple of months in advance, the commission made the proposal to him and he accepted the challenge. During his recent stay in Brazil he was amassing the ideas and preparing the draft of the proclamation when told that it had to last, at most, 3 or 4 minutes, he had to cut and delete several of the ideas he had written, and summarize everything until meeting the established criteria.
On Saturday, August 26, at 7:30 p.m., the procession known as “la Subidica”, which entails an ascent up the steep slope that culminates in the Basilica of Our Lady of Romero. The giants accompanied the honoree and bigheads, the music band, the txistularis and the pipers of Cascante, the mayor, some councilors, the popular cascantino of the year and the prior of the community of Monteagudo, Fray Javier Jiménez García-Villoslada, representing the religious.
The event was brief and well prepared. The parish priest, Francisco Javier Aramendía, made the greeting and read the Gospel of the day of the party. The Cais-Cantum choir performed the hymn to the Virgin of Romero. Monsignor Javier Hernández read his proclamation of parties with a good voice, strength, claw and emotion. In it he recalled experiences from his childhood of him and highlighted the role of the Mother in the holidays and in the heart and in the life of all the people of Cascante. He officially invited Maria to be present at the parties and he appreciated her acceptance.
At the end of the proclamation, the mayor, D. Alberto Añón, imposed on Don Javier the red scarf, a symbol of distinction in the Cascante festival. The giants celebrated with a beautiful dance, accompanied by the txistus and the bagpipes.
Next, Don Javier went up to the dressing room of the Virgin to impose the party scarf to the Virgin of Romero and the Child Jesus. The applause of the participants that packed the basilica was thunderous and exciting.
The rocks offered the Virgin her distinctive handkerchiefs and many of her faithful. They were hung on the gate of the sanctuary as a sign of offering. The school of jacks Cascante performed several songs that put a note of emotion and fervor and that filled the eyes with tears and the hearts of gratitude.
Don Javier finished the act giving the final blessing to all, and submitting to a long and comforting photo session, in which he received the congratulations and the recognition of many neighbors and countrymen of his life.
The festivities, which had officially started with the firing of the rocket at 12 noon noon, gained strength and vigor after this joyful encounter with the Mother, who would see initialed and sealed with the solemn Mass on Sunday, at 12 noon, celebrating the Virgen del Romero, patroness saint of Cascante.
Homily during the feasts in honour of the Virgin of Romero and the Holy Christ of the column. Cascante, Spain, 2023
People from Cascante… Very good afternoon!!!
The wait is over and the party has begun!!!
All the citizens of this noble city of Cascante have received from our civil authorities a beautiful PARTY PROGRAM that will facilitate the active participation in all scheduled events.
Today, at SUBIDICA, we want to complete the preparations. the party is coming wrapped in a mystical-spiritual atmosphere that puts us in tune with the Christian values of the Gospel and with the love of our MOTHER AND QUEEN. She goes to wear traditional popular symbols in our region: the red scarf and the white dress, pieces consecrated by tradition, which give nobility to the figures women of our land.
We have come to give MARY our OFFICIAL INVITATION so that she can participate from the party. For us, cascantinas and cascantines, it is a gesture of love with the MOTHER that reveals an intimate and personal treatment of the people with her MOTHER, a title so endearing that makes the most sensitive strings of the heart vibrate.
Our ancestors educated us to love and respect the presence of MARY in all the details of her sanctuary: the beauty of the temple; the attraction of dressing room; the Eucharistic piety that accompanies her personal visits; the harmony of park that invites you to rest and enjoy nature; the wonder of affectionate encounters with people who participate in the same love that we flood.
It is good to remember that, in other times, the children attacked the park, seizing selected plants, roses, nests and birds, disasters that our parents had to pay, because what was planted there was valuable. All this has been surpassed after a long process of education.
Do you want to be, VIRGENCICA DEL ROMERO, at our parties, offering us your affectionate presence, teaching us to live and coexist in cordial fraternity? MAY THE LOVE OF THE VIRGIN OF ROMERO IGNITE THE HEART of our countrymen, friends forever, brothers, devotees and companions of good Willpower. Mary is the Mother who reveals her warm feelings in our favor whenever we the trials of life bring us down. She is attentive to our needs.
MARY IS THE LOVING MOTHER who is predisposed to always offer us the Good.
She does not limit her love for us. As a GOOD AND PRUDENT MOTHER she approaches us to teach us to know, decide and do good without measure.
In conclusion: THE VIRGIN OF ROMERO ACCEPTS OUR INVITATION and she is willing, as a caring woman, to support our happiness and our dedication to live unforgettable days of well-being and togetherness among all.
And we, grateful, acclaim him saying:
Long live to the Virgin of Romero!!!
Long live to the Christ of the Column!!!
