The city of Tarifa in Spain renewed its patronage of the Virgin of Light on Sunday, marking the 275th anniversary of her declaration as patron saint of the municipality. The ceremony took place at the main church of San Mateo, with the Bishop of Cadiz, Rafael Zornoza, presiding.
The mayor of Tarifa, José Antonio Santos, made a “renewed promise of fidelity, a symbol of unity,” and appealed to the commitment to mutual respect, fraternity, and shared effort, values of the patronage.
The city council participated in the religious function that ratified the vote of the Patronage of the Light, adopted in January 1750. The mayor highlighted the “renewed commitment as a city: the commitment to continue building a Tarifa where justice, solidarity, and love for our traditions prevail. We ask you to give us the strength necessary to face the current challenges with the same determination that our ancestors demonstrated.”
Santos also remembered the different sectors of the Tarifa population: “In this act of renewal, we raise our prayers for the elderly, guardians of the historical memory of our people, for the young, who represent the future and the continuity of our faith, and for those who are going through difficult times, so that they may find in your mantle the necessary comfort.”
The mayor requested the intercession of the Patron Saint so that her values inspire the work and dedication of all: “We also ask you, our Mother, to inspire us to be able to guide the destiny of our city with wisdom and justice. May the spirit of service and dedication remain firm in their hearts and that, under your guidance, we always work for the common good.”
At the end of his message, Santos presented the senior brother of the Brotherhood of Light, Alfonso Pacheco, with a framed copy of the 1750 chapter minutes that record the agreement on the declaration of the Patronage of Light, and a sterling silver brooch, gold-plated, which will be part of the heritage of the carving’s furnishings. The event was attended by the Tarifa Choir, directed by musician Pepe Muñoz, and the intervention of Tarifa soprano Mariluz Román.
The procession began at San Mateo and went through Privilegios, Plaza Hermanos Costaleros, Plaza de la Fuente, Guzmán el Bueno, Aljaranda, Amargura, Plaza de Santa María (Old Church of Sta. María), Amargura, Plazuela del Viento, Jesús, RR. MM. Inmaculada Concepción (old Church of Santiago), Amor de Dios, Aljaranda, Guzmán el Bueno (Chapel of the Inmaculada Concepción), Sancho IV el Bravo, Santísima Trinidad, Plaza del Ángel (Parish Church of San Francisco de Asís), Plaza de San Julián, Colón, Peso, Ntra. Sra de la Luz, Sancho IV el Bravo, and back to its temple.