Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 10:53 p.m.
«Rejoice Orihuela. “I am your protector.” Thus reads the plaque that precedes the departure of the patron saint of the city from his temple in the convent of Santa Ana. And he is right. 'El Abuelo' once again filled the hearts of the people of Oriola with joy this Holy Wednesday in the penitential season of the stewardship of Our Father Jesus. A river of people lined the streets of the most traditional neighborhoods of the capital of Vega Baja to see, even with tears in their eyes, the exciting moment in which the stature of Sánchez Lozano was reunited with his beloved town.
Already early in the morning, the twins announced with their grave whistle that the once Venerable Third Order was taking to the streets. At dawn, the avenue of the San Francisco neighborhood was bustling with fervent penitents in the red afternoon. All with the hope that the image of Our Father Jesus would appear on the threshold of the temple. With the seat and the chair planted very early, the wait was long until, after 7:00 p.m., the throne emerged with all solemnity to the sounds of the Spanish anthem.
Every meter away, a dedicated and feverish crowd gathered on the sidewalks as the Nazarene passed by. All of them captivated by the face of suffering, but also of compassion and affection that year after year corroborates the stature of the teacher José Sánchez Lozano as the one that awakens the most passions and that ratifies him as a lord and benefactor to whom he prays and prays for a good part of the Shire.
The orchard procession par excellence headed through the Franciscan gardens to cross the Capuchin neighborhood in the company of La Convocatoria and the images of Saint John the Evangelist, the Virgin of Bitterness and that magnificent Christ of Agony that could only have passed through the prodigious hands of the image maker among image makers, those of the Murcian Francisco Salzillo. A carving, furthermore, that is already awaiting the return of his lost sister, the Magdalena, who disappeared in the Civil War and that will be reproduced by the Martínez Cava brothers.
The anecdote of the tour involved a brief blackout. As the Armaos escort passed by, the streetlights faded into black to the stupefaction of the public gathered next to the Plaza de Capuchinos and its unmistakable Oriol monument. Luckily, the power had to return soon and nothing else spoiled the popular parade.
Upon the arrival of Our Father Jesus to the sanctuary, many missed those years in which the patron saint was offered an arrow, but the presence of his figure was enough to make the skin and hair stand on end in every Nazarene sense. Some people couldn't even resist getting as close as possible to the venerated carving. And, as always, the Police held them back and widened the cordon so that the fervent crowd would not hinder the difficult and always delicate maneuver of turning the throne in front of the door of the sanctuary.
The Royal March then sounded again to harmonize an entry that was undoubtedly triumphant and, for the first time, with Our Father Jesus facing the people. Once collected, 'The Grandfather' found the temple somewhat lacking in thrones, images and insignia. But the panorama will change soon. This same night the patron receives the steps of the Holy Supper and The Lavatory. The rain, for the enjoyment of the brothers and all the people of Oriola, no longer threatens to water down more processions.
With the gates closed, the party took place inside the walls and Nazarenes and sympathizers of the illustrious stewardship were able to be satisfied with a very accomplished job. On Good Friday, in the general procession, the people of Oriola will be able to feel close to Our Father Jesus again and, at the end of the procession, give the patron saint his last dance in front of the City Hall.
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