On Tuesday, September 17, Mequinenza celebrated the main day of its festivities in honor of Saint Agathoclia
The Mayor of Mequinenza announced that more than 70 jobs will be created in the town in 2025 during the 'Mequinensans i Mequinensanes' Presentation Gala.
The vicar general of the Archdiocese of Zaragoza, Rubén Ruiz, officiated the mass accompanied by nine other priests, including the former parish priests of Mequinenza Bernardo Fuentes and Wilson Montes, as well as the current one, Carlos Areiza.
Mequinenza celebrates the main day of its festivities in honor of Saint Agatoclia with a procession, a mass sung by the Mequinenza Choir, a floral offering, and the distribution of blessed cakes. The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption was the central point from which the procession departed through the town's streets, carrying the image of the Saint, accompanied by the Band of Bugles and Drums of the Brotherhood of Saint Agatoclia, the residents of Mequinenza, the municipal council, other local authorities, and the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Zaragoza, Rubén Ruiz.
Ruiz celebrated a participatory Eucharist in which 9 other priests were also present, including Bernardo Fuentes and Wilson Montes, now in Zaragoza in the Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe and in the Parish of Fraga respectively and both former parish priests of the town, Samuel San Miguel parish priest of Bujaraloz, Ervin Peña and José Manuel Martínez, parish priest and deacon of Caspe, Mario Aguirre, parish priest of Maella, and Carlos Areiza, parish priest of Mequinenza.
In his homily, he recalled the life and work of Saint Agathoclia, Patron Saint of Mequinenza, and encouraged the residents and visitors, who filled the church on the main day of the festival, “to follow her example of love and choose to do good in everyday life; it's not necessary to perform great deeds to be better people.” He also invited everyone to “talk more with God.” After the Mass, a floral offering and the distribution of blessed cakes took place.
During the morning in the Town Hall Square giant games have been set up for the little ones where in the afternoon and evening the Nueva Alaska Orchestra will take over with a concert and double dance session while in the Interpeñas Tent, in the Truck Parking, a “tardeo” session has been scheduled.
The 18 "Mequinensans i Mequinensanes" (8 children and 10 adults) received their sashes from members of the Festival Committee at the Presentation Gala held in the Town Hall Square as part of the 2024 "La Santa" Festival, which the town celebrates until Sunday, September 22. As usual, this is one of the events that draws the largest crowds during these seven days of festivities, which began at noon with the firing of the rocket and the ringing of the church bells.
Raúl Roca was chosen as the host of the Gala, which began with the lighting of the Plaza, and was in charge of welcoming both the “Mequinensans i Mequinensanes”, their families and the neighbors and visitors, who did not want to miss the event, as well as the entire Municipal Corporation, mayors of neighboring towns and other local authorities and the provincial deputies, among whom were Santiago Villas for Huesca and Abraham Martínez for Zaragoza.
The opening remarks were given by Luis Esteve, the councilor for festivals, who emphasized the work of "everyone who makes the 'La Santa' Festival possible, and especially the Festival Committee," which bore the brunt of organizing a celebration that this year has lasted longer than usual. He also addressed the residents of Mequinenzan and their families, encouraging them "to enjoy the celebration and share it with us," with nearly 80 scheduled events. He reviewed the program, urging those present not to miss a single one and to "fill the streets with festivities, joy, and music."
Antonio Sanjuán, mayor of Mequinenza, joined in the expressions of gratitude and focused on the “Mequinensans i Mequinensanes”, the protagonists of the event and from this moment on “ambassadors of our festivities, they will be the visible face of the magic that unites us and reminds us that, despite the passing years and changing times, the festive spirit remains intact” and encouraged those present to “put aside what separates us and the bad times so that this will be the best 'Santa'.”
