News - Prelature of Ayaviri - Ayavirians celebrate the Feast of la Virgen de Alta Gracia

Ayaviri, September 12 - On Friday September 8, the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin, the whole village of Ayaviri filled the Cathedral in order to participate in the Mass of the Feast of their patron. The Eucharist was celebrated by Bishop Kay Martin Schmalhausen SCV, Bishop Prelate of Ayaviri, who in his homily highlighted "the blessing that it means to be united to celebrate the faith, to celebrate Holy Mary together. In the Church we are all brothers, all of us are children of God and we have to express this reality in all the circumstances of our lives as well." He also affirmed that "the Catholic identity of the Peruvian people is especially expressed on these festive occasions and has always been the cement - the firm rock - upon which our national unity has arisen. How much are the nation's unity and possibility of development weakened without this faith we share!

Present at the Eucharist were the principal authorities of the city as well as numerous people from other regions of Peru and Ayavirians who live abroad, some of whom were moved to tears when praying before the image of la Virgen de la Alta Gracia.

After the Mass the Virgin was carried in procession through the city's streets. The various establishments and institutions in the city adorned the streets with carpets of flowers. At the end of the procession, after the Virgin had been placed back in the Cathedral, the folkdances and other manifestations of joy in honor of the Patron of Ayaviri and Melgar were initiated.

The celebrations continued the following days, highlighted by the famous bull runs of La Moya where a gigantic ring is built for the bull events and the "Huacchaccaray" in the city square - a big communitary meal customary on feast days.