“Muxía cannot be understood without its Virgin of La Barca, nor without its Sanctuary. It is something that defines us, something very unique that gives us our identity and dignity.” This is how the parish vicar of Muxía, Ernesto Antonio Villegas Román, began this morning’s Mass on Monday of the Barca, presiding over the farewell service for the pilgrimage, accompanied by parish priest Daniel Turnes Rey.
The return of the image to its place, the temple, from the Parish Church, brought together not only a large part of the neighbourhood, but also the pilgrims who were finishing their Camino on this day of contemplation. As the procession advanced, accompanied by the music of the Ponteceso Municipal Band, the people of Muxía took turns carrying the Virgin to the temple.
The popularity of Muxía outside its borders is growing year after year, and this year it was very evident. People from the United Kingdom, the United States, South Korea and Taiwan mingled with the locals in a crowded procession and solemn mass, sung by the Muxía Polyphonic Choir. ‘Unity’ was the most repeated word in a homily that encouraged even greater devotion to Our Lady.
In addition, Daniel Turnes celebrated the signing of the agreement with the Xunta de Galicia, worth around €250,000, which will enable the interior and exterior restoration of the Sanctuary, and highlighted the next step to be taken: the recovery of the altarpiece that was lost in the fire on 25 December 2013. The Eucharist ended, as usual, with the singing of the Hymn to the Virgin of La Barca, which moved many and sparked numerous cheers and salutes to the saint.
In the streets of the town, there were four witnesses who experienced the Muxia tradition first-hand this weekend. The independent stories of David Smith, Elizabeth Phamestir, Yo Han and Sindy Wang coincide on one detail: they decided to extend their pilgrimage beyond Santiago de Compostela to Muxía, knowing that here there is a great history and incredible natural surroundings. They are not believers, but they say that something stirred inside them as they lived this experience.
The culmination of the most international edition
After the religious ceremonies, Monday of the Barca continued on the Malecón with a vermouth session led by the M-3 Show orchestra, which will repeat its performance in the evening. The grand finale will be provided by international singer Soraya Arnelas, who is bringing her 20th anniversary tour to Muxía.