The Andalusian House in Benidorm begins the Corpus Christi Pilgrimage celebrations with a mass and the descent of the Virgin of Rocío

La Casa de Andalucía in Benidorm began its traditional Corpus Christi celebrations yesterday afternoon, Thursday. This pilgrimage marks the 46th anniversary of the founding of this organisation in the city. A Rociera Mass and the transfer of the Virgin of Rocío from the Almudena Church to the centre of Benidorm marked the start of these festivities, which will continue until next Sunday with a full program of events.

Dozens of people filled the church pews to participate in the Rociera Mass dedicated to the White Dove, led by the president of the Casa de Andalucía, Leonor Jiménez, and the 2025 queen, Kenia Moreno. Also participating in the Mass were the City Councillor for Fiestas, Mariló Cebreros, and other council members. The queens of the 2025 Patron Saint Festival, Paula Pascual and Aitana Pérez, and their ladies-in-waiting, as well as the presidents of the Festival Commission and the Association of Patron Saints, Susana Martínez Sanz and Jonathan López de las Huertas.

After the Rocio Mass, the image of the Virgin was carried out of the temple on the shoulders of her costaleros and accompanied by the Andalusians of Benidorm through various streets of the city. It then returned to the neighbourhood for the inauguration of the tent set up at Mercasa, where events will continue throughout the weekend. The Guapas and Rociera were then selected before a performance by DJ Kalenda until 2:30 a.m., when the day concluded with the singing of the Salve to the Virgin of Rocío.

This Friday, at 8:30 p.m., the reception of the authorities will take place; at 10:00 p.m., there will be a sevillana and flamenco dress competition; and at 11:00 p.m., DJ Kalenda will perform until 2:30 a.m., when the Salve (Holy Mass) will be sung again to the Virgin of Rocío.

On Saturday, at 10:00 p.m., the music will begin with DJ Kalenda performing sevillanas and rumbas. It will continue at 11:30 p.m. with a star performance by the group "Las 7 Lunas," along with the Salve (Holy Mass) and hot chocolate, starting at 2:30 a.m. At 2:45 a.m., there will be a large hot chocolate party hosted by the queens.

Finally, on Sunday, at 5:30 p.m., a Rociera mass will be held at the Mercasa booth, and at 6:30 p.m., the transfer of the Virgin of Rocío back to the Almudena Church will take place.