A crowd full of faith and hope accompanied the image of the Virgin on the morning of this Sunday, September 8. Virgin of the Valleyein the Valley of the Holy Spirit, on Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta state.
Considering the hot weather that is being experienced these days in the island region, this year the start of the festivities at 12 midnight on Saturday the 7th had a greater attendance of parishioners, and they enjoyed the beautiful moment of the departure of the Virgin in procession to the Eucharistic field and then an innovative drone show.
The Bishop of the Diocese of Margarita, Fernando Castro Aguayo, officiated the central mass and in his homily called for taking into account three fundamental aspects as a reason for life: the simplicity of people, the importance of recovering educational quality and being promoters of peace.
To speak of simplicity, he highlighted the book of the prophet Nikaiah, who announced that the prince would be born in Bethlehem, a very small and unknown town, and it became great because of that, because Jesus was born there and because of the humble life of Joseph and Mary, because shepherds went to adore the child who was born in swaddling clothes, because kings from the East came and without reservation asked about the newborn king of the Jews. “It is simplicity and smallness that stands out, that is why I ask that a Bethlehem be born every day in our hearts,” said Monsignor.
“I want to show solidarity with the children of Nueva Esparta, the East and the world, who receive a very poor quality education, very little quality. Given the undeniable vocation for teaching, the church joins in through its believers to help with the basic education of children, so that they have Christian coordinates because that will make them better citizens. Let us make the children feel sorry for us,” said Castro Aguayo, and asked for prayers so that the authorities encourage participation and service to others without class distinction.
Thirdly, he asked believers to ask God for help for Venezuela, but at the same time to be an individual apostle of peace, and highlighting that in 2025 it will be 500 years since the image of the Virgin of the Valley arrived on island lands, he proposed that the hymn to the Virgin of the Valley be taught in every family and school.
With information from Ana Carolina Arias, El Universal newspaper
#Bishop #Margarita #asked #apostles #peace #mass #Virgin #Valley
2024-09-08 20:56:16
What themes did Bishop Fernando Castro Aguayo emphasize during the Virgin of the Valley celebrations?
Table of Contents
Virgin of the Valley Celebrations: Bishop Calls for Simplicity, Quality Education, and Peace
On a sweltering Sunday morning, September 8, a sea of devoted followers accompanied the revered image of the Virgin of the Valley in the Valley of the Holy Spirit, Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta state. The festivities commenced at 12 midnight on Saturday, September 7, with a grand procession, Eucharistic celebration, and an innovative drone show, drawing a larger-than-usual crowd of parishioners.
Bishop Fernando Castro Aguayo’s Homily
During the central mass, Bishop Fernando Castro Aguayo delivered a thought-provoking homily, emphasizing three essential aspects that should guide our lives: simplicity, quality education, and peace.
The Bishop drew inspiration from the book of the prophet Micah, highlighting the humble beginnings of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, a small and unknown town, which became significant due to the simplicity of Joseph and Mary’s lives. He urged the congregation to embody this simplicity, allowing a “Bethlehem” to be born in their hearts every day.
Solidarity with Children and Education
Bishop Castro Aguayo expressed solidarity with the children of Nueva Esparta, the East, and the world, who often receive subpar education. He appealed to
The Virgin of the Valley: A Symbol of Faith and Hope
On Sunday, September 8, a crowd of faithful devotees accompanied the image of the Virgin of the Valley as it made its way through the Valley of the Holy Spirit on Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta state, Venezuela. This significant event marks the beginning of a festive celebration that honors the Virgin Mary, a revered figure in Roman Catholicism.
A Celebration of Faith and Tradition
The Virgin of the Valley, also known as the Virgen del Valle, is a revered title of the Blessed Virgin Mary that is deeply ingrained in the culture and traditions of Margarita Island and Catamarca, Argentina [[1]]. The festival, which takes place in a highly religious part of the country, is a testament to the strong faith and devotion of the local population [[2]].
This year’s celebration was particularly notable, with a larger-than-expected attendance of parishioners at the midnight mass on Saturday, September 7. The festivities included a beautiful procession of the Virgin to the Eucharistic field, followed by an innovative drone show.
A Call to Simplicity, Education, and Peace
During the central mass, the Bishop of the Diocese of Margarita, Fernando Castro Aguayo, delivered a thought-provoking homily that emphasized three fundamental aspects of life: simplicity, education, and peace. He drew inspiration from the book of the prophet Nikaiah, who foretold the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, a small and unknown town that became great due to its humble beginnings.
The Bishop urged believers to cultivate simplicity in their daily lives, to recover educational quality, and to promote peace in their communities. He also expressed solidarity with children who receive poor-quality education and called for prayers to encourage authorities to promote participation and service without class distinction.
Furthermore, Bishop Castro Aguayo proposed that the hymn to the Virgin of the Valley be taught in every family and school, highlighting the significance of the Virgin’s image arriving on island lands 500 years ago in 2025.
A Symbol of Devotion and Hope
The Virgin of the Valley is not only a revered figure in Margarita Island and Catamarca, Argentina, but also has connections to other parts of the world. For instance, the Sicilian shrine to Our Lady of the Valley, or of the Green Valley, is said to have originated around 1040 [[3]].
In the midst of challenges and uncertainties, the Virgin of the Valley serves as a beacon of hope and devotion, inspiring believers to embody the values of simplicity, education, and peace. As the Bishop of Margarita aptly put it, “Let us make the children feel sorry for us,” and work towards a brighter future for generations to come.
References:
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VirgendelValle”>[1] Wikipedia. (n.d.). Virgen del Valle.
[2] Pilot Guides. (n.d.). Pilgrimage to the Virgin of the Valley.
[3] Roman Catholic Saints. (n.d.). Our Lady of the Valley.
