Benidorm commemorates the 286th anniversary of the arrival of its patroness saint, the Virgin of Sufragio

Hundreds of Benidorm residents gathered this Monday, around 5:30 a.m., at the doors of the parish church of Sant Jaume i Santa Anna to commemorate the 286th anniversary of the arrival of Benidorm's patron saint, the Mare de Déu del Sofratge (Our Lady of Sufragio), to the town's beaches on March 16, 1640, and its subsequent discovery, intact among the remains and ashes of the shipwreck.

To the rhythm of the tabalet (a small drum) and xirimita (a type of oboe), and after listening to the voice of the late José Bayona, the "voice of time," in the reenactment of the discovery, as well as various chants in her honor, the citizens received the image of the patron saint at the church doors, flanked by the mayor of the city, Toni Pérez; the councilor for Fiestas, Mariló Cebreros; The queens of the 2026 Patron Saint Festivities, Laura Ivaris Marín and Carmen Guillem Campos; the president of the Commission, Ramón Cano; and the parish priest, Juan Antonio González.

Once again, as on Saturday with the massive flower offering in her honour, Benidorm has shown its devotion to its patron saint, carrying her in the traditional Dawn Procession through the old town and along the Levante, Poniente, and Mal Pas beaches. This year, if possible, is even more special, as it commemorates the centenary of her coronation as patroness saint of Benidorm.

The mayor, the parish priest, and the festival queens were the first to carry the image, followed by the councillor for the department, the presidents of the festival committee and association, the senior and junior ladies-in-waiting, and other public officials and festival participants, before handing the reins over to the rest of the group. Every few meters, a change of bearer took place. And so, step by step, the Virgin Mary was carried by her faithful through the different stages of the route, with several stops made to pray Hail Marys and sing liturgical hymns, asking for her protection for the people of Benidorm.

After the procession, the image returned to the church to hear, once again, the traditional verse to the Virgin recited by Carmela Soria Martínez, after which a Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated, sung by the parish choir. Finally, the Patron Saint Festival Committee offered a breakfast of hot chocolate and pastries to all attendees after the Eucharist.

The events commemorating the 286th anniversary of the Discovery continue this evening at 8:00 p.m. with a High Mass in honour of Our Lady at the Church of Sant Jaume i Santa Anna, the final event scheduled to mark this 286th anniversary.