The celebration will begin at 6:00 PM from the Holy Cathedral Church and conclude at the Monserrate Sanctuary. A solemn Eucharist, presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante, José Ignacio Munilla, will take place there.
The event was presented by the Councilor for Festivities, Irene Celdrán, accompanied by the author of the commemorative poster, Pablo Cuadrado; the chaplain of the Archconfraternity, Jesús Ortuño; and the president of the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Monserrate, Antonio M. García-Molina Riquelme.
Irene Celdrán highlighted the significance of the anniversary for the city, emphasizing 250 years of history, tradition, devotion, and shared feelings among the people of Orihuela. She underscored the patron saint's connection to the identity of Orihuela, its roots, and the people who have found solace and hope in her.
The councilor stated that the procession will be an opportunity to remember those who have kept this tradition alive and to pass it on to future generations. She also thanked the work of the Archconfraternity, the Cathedral Chapter, and everyone involved in the organization.
During the presentation, it was announced that the mayor of Orihuela, Pepe Vegara, will bestow the golden insignia of the city's coat of arms upon the Virgin of Monserrate.
Pablo Cuadrado explained the details of the commemorative poster, a digital work combining pictorial illustration, architectural design, and religious symbolism. The composition features the Virgin of Monserrate with the Child Jesus, surrounded by different perspectives of the sanctuary, architectural plans, facades, and interior elements, including its characteristic black and white checkered floor.
The author expressed his desire to give humanity to the work and to advocate for the work of illustrators against the increasing use of artificial intelligence in poster design.
The chaplain of the Archconfraternity, Jesús Ortuño, recalled that the celebration culminates the patron saint's visits to the parishes of Orihuela since October 23rd. The image is currently in Santa Justa and will be transferred on Saturday, November 7th, to the parish of San Vicente Ferrer.
Ortuño highlighted the special nature of these encounters and invited the people of Orihuela to participate in the extraordinary procession on November 15th to strengthen devotion to the Virgin of Monserrate.
The procession will depart at 6:00 PM from the Holy Cathedral Church and will parade through the streets Mayor de Ramón y Cajal, López Pozas, Santa Justa, plaza del Carmen, Francisco Díe, Santiago, and plaza de Monserrate to reach the sanctuary.
