Pilgrimage of the Virgin of Grace in San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Celebration date

The pilgrimage is celebrated on second sunday of september. The preparatory acts normally begin on Friday with the floral offering and continue on Saturday with the pilgrimage proclamation; On Sunday, the Rosary of the Dawn, the procession, the celebrations in La Herrería and the return of the image take place.

The date is a traditional rule of celebration, not a stand-alone declaration of a public holiday. The specific programming must be checked each year in the publications of the City Council and the Brotherhood of Romeros.

From the Sanctuary to La Herrería

The day begins at dawn at the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Grace, on Floridablanca Street. From there, the Rosario de la Aurora accompanies the image to the hermitage located on the La Herrería estate. Later, the pilgrim procession leaves the Lonja del Real Monasterio and descends to the same place with decorated carts and vehicles.

Origin and history

The parish of San Lorenzo documents the existence of a pilgrimage of thanksgiving for the harvest since the 16th century. The old celebration was interrupted in 1890 and the hermitage ended up collapsing. In 1945, a group of neighbors and vacationers rebuilt the temple near its previous location and recovered the tradition.

The original medieval image disappeared during the Civil War. The carving venerated today is the work of the sculptor Mariano Benlliure. The Pilgrimage of the Virgin of Grace is declared Festival of National Tourist Interest.

Rosario, cortejo y carretas

• Rosario de la Aurora early in the morning between the Sanctuary and the hermitage of La Herrería.
• Dawn Mass after the arrival of the image to the hermitage.
• Pilgrimage procession from the Lonja del Monasterio with authorities, brotherhoods, clubs, groups and individuals.
• Carts decorated with religious, mountain or popular motifs and decorated vehicles.
• Awards ceremony and processional return of the Virgin to her Sanctuary at the end of the afternoon.

Traje serrano, jotas y rondón

The mountain clothing identifies many participants and gives the procession a common image. In La Herrería there are visits between clubs, shared food, the jotas and the rondón, a traditional dance of the area. On the return, the Virgin's cart occupies a prominent place and the procession once again takes on a processional character upon entering San Lorenzo.

Organisation and participation

The Brotherhood of Pilgrims of the Virgin of Grace organises the pilgrimage and maintains the cult together with the Brotherhood of Ladies, the parish and municipal collaboration. The pilgrimage groups are essential in the preparation of carts and activities. The festival brings together neighbors, families, associations and numerous visitors.

Sources

• San Lorenzo de El Escorial Town Hall: festivals and traditions.
• Parish of San Lorenzo de El Escorial: history and development of the pilgrimage.
• Brotherhood of Pilgrims of the Virgin of Grace: the festival.