Benidorm begins today an intense weekend to commemorate the Centenary of the Coronation of its patroness saint

The centenary of the coronation of the Virgin of Suffrage, patroness saint of Benidorm, reaches its climax this weekend with the final events scheduled to commemorate this anniversary. Since the unveiling of the centenary poster and the hymn composed for the occasion on December 9th, the city has experienced a multitude of events, including a photographic exhibition dedicated to the Virgin, an exhibition of her vestments, a floral tapestry alluding to the centenary on the façade of San Jaime Church, and a special concert by the city's three bands.

The weekend begins this evening at 8:00 PM with a gathering and prayer vigil before the original statue of the patron saint, where she will receive the devotion of her people from the main altar.

Tomorrow, Saturday, the doors of San Jaime Church will open at 9:00 AM, and an hour later, a Mass will be celebrated in honour of the Virgin. At 10:30 a.m., the children will be presented to Our Lady of Suffrage, and at noon, the Angelus will be recited. In the afternoon, at 5:00 p.m., the Rosary will be prayed in remembrance of the deceased of Benidorm, followed by another Mass at 6:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m., another Mass will be celebrated, and at its conclusion, the Saturday devotion ('Sabatina') will be recited in honour of the patroness saint. Afterwards, a small brooch in the shape of a crown will be presented to the Virgin to reaffirm the affection and devotion of the people of Benidorm on the centenary of her proclamation and coronation as patron saint. Following this, the Virgin will be taken to her niche.

On Sunday, the 8th, the day will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a mock aerial display, and at 10:30 a.m., the Virgin will be carried in procession from the parish church to Plaza de SS. MM. Los Reyes de España. During the procession, the statue will be carried on the shoulders of the Virgin's Mariners, accompanied by the city's priests, the Virgin's attendants, local authorities, and the entire population of Benidorm, to the sound of marches played by the city's three bands. The procession will begin at the Church of San Jaime and proceed along Cosme Bayona Street, Leonor Canalejas Square, Virgen del Sufragio Avenue, Martínez Alejos Street, Herrerías Street, and end at Plaza de SS. MM. Los Reyes de España.

At 11:30 a.m., the Thanksgiving Mass will begin, presided over by the Bishop of the Orihuela-Alicante Diocese, José Ignacio Munilla, and the city's priests.

The Mass will be sung by Benidorm Choir and will feature the participation of the three bands. Following the procession, at 1 p.m., a pilgrimage will take place to accompany the Virgin Mary back to her church along Herrerías Street, Alameda, Mayor Street, and San Jaime Square. At the intersection of Alameda and Mayor Streets, the exact spot where she was crowned in 1926, a commemorative tile will be unveiled. The events will culminate at 1:45 p.m. with a twelve-gun salute and a mock aerial display, accompanied by the playing of the national anthem, to bid farewell to the patroness saint at the church entrance.