The huge floral carpet was assembled by a group of young people in front of an image of Our Lady, becoming a real mantle for the Mother of God.
Newsroom (22/09/2021 8:50, Gaudium Press) On the occasion of Family Day, the Marian Shrine of Torreciudad, Spain, was the stage for a unique demonstration of love for Our Lady. A giant floral carpet, made up of 15,000 white carnations, was laid out in front of the altar where the image of Our Lady is located.
The initiative counted with the participation of devotees from Spain and from twenty-three other countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, England, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, the United States, and the Philippines.
A Large Floral Mantle for Our Lady
The floral arrangement, which became a large white mantle, recalling the mantle of Our Lady, was assembled the day before the celebration by a group of youths from different institutions and parishes from the following Spanish cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Valencia, Huesca, Burgos, Granada, Santander, and San Sebastian.
The event began at 12:00 noon with a Holy Mass presided by the rector of the Shrine, Father Ángel Lasheras. In his homily, the priest recalled a phrase pronounced by Pope Francis at the opening of the Year dedicated to the Family: “Let us support the family, let us defend it from everything that compromises its beauty. Let us approach this mystery of love with wonder, discretion, and tenderness.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Torreciudad
In the afternoon, the devotees participated in the recitation of the Holy Rosary in the archways of the terrace, accompanying the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Torreciudad. The day concluded with the blessing of the Blessed Sacrament at the open-air altar. The Torreciudad Shrine was built by St. Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, who dedicated it to Our Lady as a sign of his love for her. Today it is a center of international pilgrimage. (EPC)