María Santísima del Silencio has been carried through Torrevieja’s streets in a special Vía Marialis marking the statue’s 30th anniversary, accompanied by hundreds of people, many holding candles.
The Cofradía del Cristo Crucificado y María Santísima del Silencio organised the celebration, which left the Templo Arciprestal de la Inmaculada Concepción with drums from the Cofradía de la Samaritana.
The anniversary of the statue, created by Torrevieja sculptor Víctor García Villalgordo, coincided with the recent restoration of Cristo Crucificado, also known as Cristo Salinero.
Readings and music along the route
The stations of the Vía Marialis included readings given by different participants alongside the parish priest and brotherhood members, in a devotional exercise centred on Mary’s life.
The initiative was created by local resident Eduardo Aranda Hortelano, with music by Aurelio Martínez, and was held in Torrevieja for the first time.
A quintet from the Unión Musical Torrevejense played several compositions during the celebration, bringing the religious procession together with a musical contribution from the local ensemble.
As the statue left the church, the musicians played “Estación I del Vía Marialis a María Santísima del Silencio”, with words by Eduardo Aranda Hortelano and music by Aurelio Martínez.
At the junction of Concepción and Fotógrafos Darblade streets, they performed “Madre del Silencio”, by Amparo Cos and Aurelio Martínez.
The musical part concluded with a performance of “Ave María” as the statue of the Virgin returned to the church.
The devotion followed Mary’s life from moments of joy to grief and silence at the death of her Son.
Torrevieja’s brotherhoods take part
Following the statue were parish priest José Antonio Gea; councillors Ricardo Recuero and Óscar Urtasun; Francisco Montesinos, president of the Junta Mayor de Cofradías; and Begoña Gálvez, president of the organising brotherhood.
Presidents and representatives of other local Holy Week brotherhoods also took part, alongside the worshippers accompanying the processional platform on this special outing.
The celebration brought together the anniversary of María Santísima del Silencio and the preservation of the brotherhood’s religious heritage, with the restoration of Cristo Salinero providing another reason for the gathering.
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