jansonmedia Apr 18, 2011 The Romeria de El Rocio is the most important pilgrimage to the Blessed Mother on the Iberian Peninsula. El Rocio is in Andalusia in the deep south of Spain. The many pilgrims who flock to the little town every year come to … [Più]

jansonmedia Apr 18, 2011 The Romeria de El Rocio is the most important pilgrimage to the Blessed Mother on the Iberian Peninsula. El Rocio is in Andalusia in the deep south of Spain. The many pilgrims who flock to the little town every year come to venerate the Holy Virgin of El Rocio, also know as the Virgin of the Dew. In the 15th century a hunter who lived near Almonte, discovered a statuette of Mary hidden in the trunk of a tree. He took it with him but was overcome with fatigue on his way home. When he awoke the statuette had disappeared. The hunter returned to the tree where he found the figurine again. In that place, called Rocina, a little church was built, and thus began the veneration of the Virgin of the Dew. During the week before Pentecost about a million pilgrims, the Rocieros, make their way to El Rocio on foot, on horseback, in oxcarts, on tractors or in cars. The trip often takes many days. During the night after Pentecost Sunday the sacred event will take place. The Virgin of the Dew will emerge from the church to greet her people. No one knows the exact timing. For the people of Andalusia there will always be an El Rocio. The day after Pentecost the Rocieros are already making preparations for the following year. For them El Rocio is more than just a pilgrimage. It is a way of life

jansonmedia Apr 18, 2011 The Romeria de El Rocio is the most important pilgrimage to the Blessed Mother on the Iberian Peninsula. El Rocio is in Andalusia in the deep south of Spain. The many pilgrims who flock to the little town every year come to venerate the Holy Virgin of El Rocio, also know as the Virgin of the Dew. In the 15th century a hunter who lived near Almonte, discovered a statuette of Mary hidden in the trunk of a tree. He took it with him but was overcome with fatigue on his way home. When he awoke the statuette had disappeared. The hunter returned to the tree where he found the figurine again. In that place, called Rocina, a little church was built, and thus began the veneration of the Virgin of the Dew. During the week before Pentecost about a million pilgrims, the Rocieros, make their way to El Rocio on foot, on horseback, in oxcarts, on tractors or in cars. The trip often takes many days. During the night after Pentecost Sunday the sacred event will take place. The Virgin of the Dew will emerge from the church to greet her people. No one knows the exact timing. For the people of Andalusia there will always be an El Rocio. The day after Pentecost the Rocieros are already making preparations for the following year. For them El Rocio is more than just a pilgrimage. It is a way of life