Yilenia Vega: “This year’s festivities aimed to celebrate our roots and traditions, and there was no better way to do so than by bringing back to the streets a celebration so beloved by so many residents.”
Alejandro Marichal: “Today we have recovered much more than a procession. We have recovered a part of our history, of our identity as a people, and of the memory of those who built San Fernando.”
Emotion, memories, and a sense of belonging marked the revival of one of San Fernando de Maspalomas' most deeply rooted traditions this Thursday. More than 150 people participated in the Mass and subsequent extraordinary procession in honor of Saint Ferdinand, an event that had not been celebrated for over twenty years and which once again brought neighbors and families together to celebrate their heritage.
The day began with the celebration of the Eucharist at the Hermitage of the Casa Condal in Maspalomas, presided over by the parish priest of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana - South Pastoral Unit (UPSBT), Pedro Luis Martínez Rodríguez. He led the Mass and procession from the Chapel of San Fernando in an act filled with symbolism and solemnity. After the Mass, the image of the saint began a procession through the streets of the Los Dúplex residential area and the Patronato district, stirring memories among those who experienced this tradition decades ago and sparking curiosity and enthusiasm in new generations.
Throughout the procession, numerous residents came out into the streets to accompany the image or contemplate its route, turning the procession into an intergenerational encounter where collective memory came to life again.
The image of Saint Ferdinand will remain in the Church of Saint Ferdinand until tomorrow, when the Solemn Religious Service and the main procession will take place on the occasion of the patron saint's feast day and the celebration of Canary Islands Day.
The Councillor for Festivities and Events, Yilenia Vega, highlighted that “neighbors of different generations walking together behind the saint reminds us that traditions still have the ability to unite us and to transmit who we are.”
Vega also emphasized that "these festivities were created precisely with the aim of highlighting our roots and traditions, and there was no better way to do so than by bringing back to the streets a celebration so beloved by many residents."
For his part, the First Deputy Mayor, Alejandro Marichal, emphasized the importance of keeping the municipality's cultural and religious heritage alive, saying, "Today we have recovered much more than a procession. We have recovered a part of our history, of our identity as a people, and of the memory of those who built San Fernando."
Marichal added that "seeing so many people accompanying Saint Ferdinand today shows that we continue to feel our traditions as something of our own. This procession connects us with our history, with our elders, and with everything that has made us the community we are today."
The revival of this extraordinary procession has become one of the most special moments of the San Fernando Patron Saint Festivities 2026, bringing back to the streets an image that for decades was part of the life of the neighborhood and that this year has once again walked amidst the affection, memories and emotion of an entire town.
San Fernando Parish of Maspalomas
Pedro Luis, parish priest of the Pastoral Unit.
Juan Medina: Parish Vicar.
Francisco González, priest attached to this UPSBT.
