The main event, on Sunday morning, February 9, was a mass presided over by the Archbishop of Valencia, Enrique Benavente. In the afternoon, a joint procession took place with the main processional images of the region and thousands of participants.
She was the first Valencian woman blessed and her devotion spread throughout the region due to her fame for performing miracles and healing. On Sunday, February 9, there was a multitudinous day in the IV centenary of the birth of Blessed Ines de Beniganim.
This day was preceded by a solemn novena and recreational and cultural events, as well as the exhibition of sacred art in the parish. On Friday, February 7, at six in the afternoon, the Christ of the Blood was taken to the monastery of the Blessed with a Inesian Via Crucis of 14 staged stations. That day, the auxiliary bishop, Arturo García, presided over the Eucharist.
On Saturday, February 8, the events began at 8 in the morning with a Rosary of the Dawn. At 12 there was a solemn mass and at four in the afternoon the theatrical Route of Blessed Inés, from the birthplace to the monastery. At 8:30 p.m. there was a vigil of adoration organized by the local Hakuna group.
On February 9, 1625, the Blessed was born, and 400 years later the residents of Beniganim began this day with a traditional “wake up” at 4:30 in the morning, with rockets to the rhythm of the song Glory to Beniganim together with other hymns, couplets and marches that mothers and grandmothers have passed down through the generations. The bells of all the churches in the town rang at the same time.
At 11 there was a floral offering and at 11:30 the Mass began in the square of the monastery of the Discalced Augustinians, where the Blessed lived and where her relics are preserved. The Archbishop of Valencia, Enrique Benavent, highlighted in his homily the values of simplicity and humility by reviewing fragments of her biography. He appealed for prayer and the recognition of the miracles of the Blessed so that she may be canonized.
The trickle of devotees and pilgrims was constant and they joined in a massive, historic and extraordinary procession starting at 5:30 p.m. that went through the streets of the town, decorated with garlands by the residents themselves to welcome the Blessed.
This religious demonstration had its beginnings in the 1950s, when a devotee donated a new processional image by the artist Carmelo Vicent. As usual, dozens of volunteer neighbours staged Els miracres, scenes from the life of the Blessed, a colourful element that arouses much sympathy.
From the Parish of Saint Michael came the images that had been part of the exhibition, brought by pilgrims and brotherhoods to process alongside Blessed Inés: the Christ of Carcaixent, Blessed Inés of Benicull, Esperanza of Guadasséquies, Santa Ana of Bellús, the Santa Faz of Llutxent, the Nazarene of Pobla del Duc and the Santísimo Cristo del Mont Calvari of Genovés, as well as the local images of the Christ of the Blood and the Divine Dawn.
The procession culminated with a amazing arrival, amid effusive cheers and spectacular fireworks to the rhythm of the pasodoble dedicated to Blessed Ines and the singing of “happy birthday”.
The Town Hall organised recreational events, an institutional event and hung a commemorative banner on one of its balconies. In 1999, in an extraordinary session, it named Blessed Sister Josefa María de Santa Inés as the favourite daughter and honorary and perpetual mayor of the municipality.
Another initiative has been the publication on the social networks of the Discalced Augustinians of Saint John of Ribera of testimonies of favours received through the intercession of the Blessed.
A chronicle from the local press relates: “When they tell it, people who hear it always tend to think that it is exaggerated. Until they see it. In this corner of the Vall d’Albaida called Benigànim, everything that has to do with Blessed Inés seems to be covered with a special grace, it sounds magical. And it is. Because in Benigànim the Blessed is the woman, the character, the paintings and images, the party, a place… it is part of the calendar. Benigànim when it celebrates the Blessed is not a town, it is a utopia; a rarity of our time, a phenomenon out of time and place, which makes us special.”
