The town of Gerena celebrated the canonical coronation of María Santísima de la Sangre, co-patron of the Hermandad de la Vera-Cruz, in a ceremony presided over by the Archbishop of Sevilla, Monsignor José Ángel Saiz Meneses. Civil, military, and religious authorities joined municipal leaders in the streets to participate in the event, which confirmed the love of the town for the Mother of God.
The Archbishop’s Message on Faith and the Crown
During the ceremony, Monsignor José Ángel Saiz Meneses described the day as one of immense joy for the parish, the brotherhood, and the entire town. According to the archbishop, the crown expresses what the believing town has discovered and experienced over time: love and gratitude to a Mother who accompanies, consoles, and leads toward Christ. The prelate stated that the crown contains much more than precious metal donated generously by hundreds of devotees.
The archbishop explained that the crown is an offering, but the Virgin Mary expects the most valuable offering: the gold of a persevering faith, of a family that prays united, of a young person who asks what God wants from their life, of a sick person who offers their pain, of a person who forgives, and of a brotherhood that serves those most in need. He exhorted the brothers of the Vera-Cruz of Gerena to view the coronation as a new beginning that promotes spiritual growth and missionary impulse.
Artistic Details of the Gold Crown
Crafted by Córdoba-based silversmith Manuel Valera, the work unites an important artistic, historical, and emotional value for the locality. The piece weighs three kilos and 200 grams, is labried on both sides, and consists of 22-karat gold—a purity higher than the usual for this type of piece, which is usually elaborated with 18-karat gold. Much of the material derived from gold and jewels from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, contributed by brothers and devotees of Gerena.
From the material contributed by devotees, 387 grams of gold have left over, which will be destined to the realization of a pectoral dagger, tembladeras for the pecherín, and a pectoral cross, following the artistic style of the crown itself.
Did You Know? The newly crafted crown was forged from more than three kilograms of gold and jewels donated by local devotees, leaving a surplus of 387 grams that will be used to create a pectoral dagger, tembladeras for the pecherín, and a pectoral cross.
Community Celebrations and Social Works
After the homily, Monsignor José Ángel Saiz Meneses crowned the image of the Virgen de la Sangre, an anonymous work dated in the last third of the 18th century that stands out for its crystallized polychromy and the proportions of its carving. The ceremony continued with the Eucharistic liturgy and concluded with the signing of the act of the canonical coronation. At the term of the mass, an azulejo of the crowned image was discovered and blessed by the Archbishop of Sevilla. Brother Mayor Francisco López thanked all the people who made it possible, while Mayor María Tenorio explained that the azulejo is a gift from the town of Gerena to the cruceros and congratulated the hermandad.
The reconstruction of a chapel under the advocación of the Virgen de la Sangre in the Prelatura de Moyobamba, an enclave in the confines of the Peruvian Amazon, constitutes the central project of the social work, having already begun to bear spiritual fruits in July 2024 with the celebration of the first eucaristías and baptisms. Celebrations continued throughout the night with a procession of the crowned image through streets decorated by residents with arches and flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who presided over the canonical coronation of the Virgen de la Sangre?
The ceremony was presided over by the Archbishop of Sevilla, monseñor José Ángel Saiz Meneses.
Who created the gold crown used in the ceremony?
The work is by the Córdoba silversmith Manuel Valera.
What international project is tied to the coronation’s social works?
The reconstruction of a chapel under the advocación of the Virgen de la Sangre in the Prelatura de Moyobamba, in the Peruvian Amazon.
How did the community celebrate following the religious service?
The celebration continued throughout the night with a procession of the image through streets decorated with arches and flowers prepared by neighbors and devotees.
What are your thoughts on how local communities blend traditional religious heritage with large-scale international charitable projects?
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