San Lorenzo de El Escorial celebrates the Romería of the Virgin of Grace on September 13, with the proclamation of the patroness as Perpetual Mayor for her 80th anniversary as patroness.
San Lorenzo de El Escorial is finalising preparations for the Romería of the Virgin of Grace, which will culminate on Sunday, September 13 with the traditional procession declared a National Tourist Interest Festival. This year's edition coincides with the 80th anniversary of the proclamation of the Virgin as Patroness of the Royal Site and will be marked by her appointment as Perpetual Mayor, approved by the municipal plenary last July.
The events will kick off on September 3 with the Novena, which will last until the 11th. On Thursday the 10th, at 11:00, the elderly from local residences will make their traditional Flower Offering at the Sanctuary, and at 20:30 the Plaza de la Constitución will host the Folklore Festival featuring the groups El Cimborrio and La Aldaba, accompanied by the Batiburrillo Gurriato. From the 7th to the 12th, the Félix Bernardino Outdoor Hall of the Cultural Centre will showcase the exhibition “Haciendo Romería”.
On Friday the 11th, the Novena will be brought forward to 18:30 and will be held at the Parish of San Lorenzo Mártir. Afterwards, the image will process through the streets Las Pozas, Calvario, San Antón, and del Rey to the Plaza de la Constitución, where at 20:30 the Offering to the Virgin will take place with the participation of pilgrim groups, the elderly, authorities, brotherhoods, and associations. At the end, the mayor will proceed with the proclamation of the Virgin as Perpetual Mayor, followed by the Hymn to the Virgin of Grace and the traditional rondón. The offering will have a charitable aspect with the collection of non-perishable food for Cáritas Parroquial.
On Saturday the 12th, at 17:30 the dulzaineros will roam the central streets, and at 19:45 the Honor Guard will form in front of the Sanctuary, with the Association of Giants and Cabezudos and El Cimborrio, heading to the Royal College Alfonso XII. At 20:00, in the Paraninfo, José Carlos Sainz de los Terreros Isasa will deliver the 2026 Romería Proclamation, followed by the presentation of honours, distinctions, and literary awards from the Royal Brotherhood of Pilgrims.
On Sunday the 13th, at 5:00 the Royal Bombs will awaken the gurriatos, and at 6:00 the Rosario de la Aurora will depart from the Sanctuary to the Hermitage of La Herrería, where the Dawn Mass will be celebrated. At 9:45, the 47 bells of the Carillon of the Royal Monastery will perform a recital, and at 10:00 the Pilgrim Procession will set off with decorated carts, groups, and authorities. After the Main Mass, the blessed pilgrim will be distributed. In the afternoon, at 17:00 there will be the Pilgrim Tribute of the Groups, at 17:30 the War of Jotas Serranas, and at 18:00 the Rondón. The return will begin at 19:30, with the Salve at the Arches of the University, the rain of petals, and the final procession to the Sanctuary, where the Salve Regina will conclude the Romería.
On Monday the 14th, a local holiday, the groups will assist in cleaning the Pilgrim Grounds. At 17:00 the awards for the VII Decoration Contest of windows, balconies, establishments, and shop windows will be presented, followed by the Pilgrim Auction and, around 18:00, a new Rondón and the farewell Salve.
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