Mayor Juan Cabrera recalls that the event commemorates a tradition stemming from a promise made to the saint in 1915 to halt a smallpox epidemic.
Antigua Town Council has highlighted the success of today’s religious service and procession in honour of San Roque in Casillas de Morales, attended by pilgrims from La Matilla.
The mayor of Antigua, Juan Cabrera, recalled that the event commemorates a tradition stemming from a promise made to San Roque in 1915 to halt a smallpox epidemic. It was a festive day marked by joy and warm fellowship between the two villages, with the church filled with worshippers. Some residents of La Matilla kept the promise by setting off on foot at six o’clock in the morning towards Antigua, while others travelled to the village by bus to take part in the festivities in Casillas de Morales.
The Councillor for Festivities, Lucila Ruiz, said the religious service and procession is a moving and beautiful ritual, accompanied by the Monte Janana folk music group, in which the whole community comes together for its patron saint, San Roque.
Refreshments were later served to all those attending in the main square, rounding off a fun, family-friendly celebration in fine style. Finally, Lucila Ruiz and Mayor Juan Cabrera wished to thank the Festivities Committee, chaired by Ateneri, for its work on this year’s celebrations, and for its dedication and effort in ensuring that every event ran perfectly. “Encouraging participation and listening to residents’ suggestions for improvement,” Juan Cabrera concluded.
