Ángel Lasheras, new Rector of the Torreciudad SanctuaryDay of the Virgin in Torreciudad: "Together with Her, everything is arranged".The Sanctuary of Torreciudad celebrated today its traditional Family Day, with both in-person and distance participation. The day began at 12:00 noon with the celebration of the solemn Holy Mass, officiated by the rector of the sanctuary, Angel Lasheras. In his homily he asked to live in close union with Pope Francis, praying for him and his intentions, and commented on a phrase pronounced by the Holy Father at the opening of the Year dedicated to the Family, which he convoked last March: "Let us support the family, let us defend it from everything that compromises its beauty. Let us approach this mystery of love with wonder, discretion and tenderness".
In the afternoon, the faithful prayed the Rosary through the arcades of the esplanade, accompanying the pilgrim image of the Virgin of Torreciudad. The day concluded with the Blessing with the Blessed Sacrament from the outdoor altar. The largest groups of participants came from Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Valencia, Huesca, Burgos, Granada, Santander and San Sebastian, in a trip organized by parishes and several educational centers.
A blanket of carnations
A group of young volunteers has been working all the day before to place the flowers on the steps of the presbytery of the temple, under the image of the Virgin of Torreciudad to form a mantle of 15,000 white carnations offered by families from all the autonomous communities of Spain and 23 other countries: Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Philippines, Guatemala, Honduras, England, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico and Switzerland.
