This year, the festivities commemorate the 80th anniversary of the proclamation of the Virgen de Gracia as Patron Saint of the Royal Site. A milestone that will be enhanced by her appointment as Perpetual Mayor of the municipality, approved in the municipal plenary session last July.
The program includes the Novena in honor of the Virgin, from September 3 to 11. On Thursday, September 10, the elderly from local residences will carry out their traditional Flower Offering at the Sanctuary at 11:00 AM. In the afternoon, at 8:30 PM, the Plaza de la Constitución will host the Folklore Festival with performances by the groups El Cimborrio and La Aldaba.
From September 7 to 12, the House of Culture will host the exhibition “Haciendo Romería” (Making Pilgrimage). On Friday, September 11, the Novena will be held at 6:30 PM in the Parish Church of San Lorenzo Mártir, followed by a procession through several streets of the municipality to the Plaza de la Constitución.
After the traditional Offering to the Virgin at 8:30 PM, in which various groups and associations will participate, the mayor will proceed with the proclamation of the Virgen de Gracia as Perpetual Mayor. The event will conclude with the singing of the Hymn to the Virgin and the traditional rondón dance. The Offering will also have a solidarity aspect with the collection of food for Cáritas Parroquial.
Saturday, September 12, will be dedicated to pre-pilgrimage events. In the afternoon, at the Sanctuary, medals will be presented and titles awarded to new members of the Brotherhood. From 5:30 PM, dulzaina players will tour the central streets, and at 7:45 PM, the Honor Procession will form in front of the Sanctuary.
At 8:00 PM, in the Paraninfo, José Carlos Sainz de los Terreros Isasa will deliver the Proclamation of the 2026 Pilgrimage, followed by the presentation of honors and literary awards from the Royal Brotherhood of Pilgrims.
On Sunday, September 13, Pilgrimage Day, it will begin at 5:00 AM with the traditional Royal Bombs and at 6:00 AM with the Rosary of the Dawn, which will accompany the Virgin from her Sanctuary to the Hermitage of La Herrería, where the Dawn Mass will be held in memory of the pilgrims who passed away.
At 9:45 AM, the 47 bells of the Carillon of the Royal Monastery will offer a recital. At 10:00 AM, the Pilgrim Procession will depart for La Herrería, with decorated carts, groups, authorities, and brotherhood representatives. Afterwards, the Main Mass will be celebrated, during which blessed rosemary will be distributed.
In the afternoon, at 5:00 PM, the Pilgrim Homage by the Groups will take place; at 5:30 PM, the popular Guerra de Jotas Serranas; and at 6:00 PM, the Rondón. The return procession will begin at 7:30 PM, with the Salve sung at the Arches of the University and a shower of petals.
On Monday, September 14, a local holiday, the Groups will collaborate in the cleaning of La Herrería. At 5:00 PM, the awards for the VII Window, Balcony, Establishment, and Shop Window Decoration Contest will be presented, followed by the traditional Pilgrim Auction. Around 6:00 PM, the Rondón will be danced again.
The program will conclude on Sunday, September 20, at 1:00 PM, with the Thanksgiving Mass at the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Gracia.
The Brotherhood of Romeros and the City Council remind the public of the importance of enjoying the Pilgrimage while respecting the natural environment of La Herrería and the established safety and coexistence rules.
