The Brotherhood of Rocío in Rincón de la Victoria receives a relic 'ex indumentis' of Saint John Paul II, which will be placed in the top of the new simpecado and will be permanently exposed for the veneration of the faithful.
The Brotherhood of Our Lady of Rocío of Rincón de la Victoria has received and enshrined a relic of Saint John Paul II during an event held on 12 September, as reported by Diario Sur. The piece, a fragment of a garment that belonged to the pontiff, will be incorporated into the top of the corporation's new simpecado and will be permanently exposed for the veneration of the faithful.
The relic is of second degree, of the type 'ex indumentis', a Latin term that literally means “from the clothing.” The brotherhood, which comprises about 400 people and is led by Alejandro Benjumea as the elder brother, has described it as “an event of singular significance.” The object will be the key piece of the silver top of the simpecado, which is set to debut next year.
The religious event included a Saturday mass at the church of Our Lady of Victory, officiated by Father Leandro Carrasco Bootello, the parish priest of the temple and spiritual director of the brotherhood. The ceremony was accompanied by the local Rocío choir.
The history of this relic began about two years ago, alongside the initial steps for the creation of the future simpecado. On 12 July, the elder brother, accompanied by members of the brotherhood, travelled to Marbella to participate in the first day of the triduum in honour of the Virgin of Carmen Coronada, preached by Monsignor Salvador Aguilera López, an official of the Holy See. Before the Eucharistic celebration, Aguilera presented the relic to the brotherhood on behalf of Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, who was the personal secretary of Saint John Paul II.
The request to have this honour in Rincón de la Victoria was processed with the approval of the spiritual director of the brotherhood. The connection of Saint John Paul II with the Rocío devotion is special for the brothers, who remember his words: “Let everyone be Rocío.”
“This is a historic moment for our town, our brotherhood, and for the Rocío devotion in particular. This relic will be part of the silver top of the new simpecado that will be unveiled next year and will be permanently available for worship at its feet,” explains the elder brother of the brotherhood.
The brotherhood, canonically established at the end of 2022, is the twelfth in the province of Málaga. At the beginning of 2023, it received the designation of Ambassador of Rincón de la Victoria, awarded by the Town Hall. The relic will be displayed in the church of Our Lady of Victory once the simpecado is unveiled.
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