Thousands of Oscenses have left this Sunday, August 10 to the streets to pay tribute to San Lorenzo on the day of their solemnity, the central act of the parties in honor of the city patron. The day has been marked by a hot morning in which the procession and the pontifical mass have been the protagonists, with the laurentine basilica as a starting and end point. The Eucharist has been chaired by the bishop of Huesca, Pedro Aguado Cuesta.
The procession has begun around 9.30 am, with the participation of hundreds of people dressed in typical costumes, the parish clergy, the brotherhoods of Loreto, San Lorenzo and the Holy Christ of Los Milagros and San Lorenzo Mártir, as well as civil and military, Mairalesas and numerous devotees. The dancers and the music band of Huesca They have put rhythm and color to the tour.
In the cathedral, the bishop and the cathedral council have joined the delegation, which has later returned to the Basilica of San Lorenzo. There the saint’s bust in the presbytery has been placed again and the dancers have offered their dance in front of the altar. Then the Mass has begun, with musical accompaniment of the Oscense Coral, the Ars Nova Choir and the Ars Musicae choir, under the direction of Elisa Betrán and with Rubén Justes to the organ.
During his homily, Bishop Pedro Aguado has reflected on the strength of San Lorenzo to face martyrdom: “He took it out of his faith and his enormous love for God, which made him understand that the horizon of our life is beyond our little aspirations.”
He has encouraged Huesca’s diocese to build “a missionary, pure, active, proactive and authentic church,” with love and delivery, learning from mistakes, involving young people, taking care of the elderly and working for a synodal community. “Let’s look for new Lorenzos and New Lorenzas,” he urged.
The bishop recalled that venerating the pattern implies loving Jesus Christ, the Church and, especially, the poor, whom Saint Lorenzo called “the treasures of the Church.” Among those treasures has mentioned the Eucharist, reconciliation, word and community. “Let’s love all those whom no one loves,” he stressed.
In his final reflection, he has invited to “take care of faith, vocation, training, communities and people”, highlighting as another treasure of all “good people who do good generously, delivered and silent.”
