San Torcuato Festivities and Romería
San
Torcuato, who was one of the Siete
Varones Apostólicos (Seven Apostolic Men) ordained bishop by San Pedro and
San Pablo in Rome and sent to preach to Spain, was martyred on 15th
May 1966 in a place near Guadix (in Face
Retama). He is nowadays the Patron of the city.
Every 15th May,
since the weekend previous to its onomastic, several events commemorating his
death and patron celebrations of the city are celebrated.
The
first event is the Romeria to the Face Retama Sanctuary from the San Torcuato Arch (through which the
relics of the Saint came into Guadix), which takes place at sunset on the
Saturday before his feast day. After the arrival to the sanctuary, a mass is
celebrated, and also a procession with
torchs with the Sacred Image of San Torcuato around the Emita-Sepulcro and
the Face Retama Hostelry, which are headed by the Relics of the San Torcuato’s Jaw, brought from the Guadix
Cathedral.
During
the following five days, the Solemn
Quinario (Five-day Devotion) is celebrated in the Cathedral in honour of
San Torcuato. On Friday before his feast day, during the Offertory, several events are celebrated: a flower offering with
red flowers to decorate the processions, the interpretation of the San Torcuato Anthem, and the kiss to the relic of the Saint’s Jaw. On
Saturday, the Eve of the Feast and the
Proclamation of the Patron Celebrations are celebrated. Finally, the Solemn Procession with the statue of San
Torcuato and the Relic of the Sacred Arm takes place along the streets of
Guadix. Particularly noteworthy is the accompaniment of boys, girls and women
wearing the traditional Guadix dresses,
the brotherhoods and the authorities of the city.
It
is also a tradition in this area to taste the Torta Salá, Habas verdes and local wine during the popular open-air
dance celebrated on Saturday night and music concerts.
