marian anniversaries     may

First Saturday in May

Virgen del Buen Suceso, La Gineta, Albacete, Castile-La Mancha, Spain

In March the statue of Our Lady of the Good Event moves from the parish church to her chapel near La Grajuela five miles away. On the first Saturday in May the image returns to La Gineta for the patronal celebration in the Virgin's honor. The parish collects offerings by "auctioning" her veil, mantle, and scepter and the crowns and shoes of both Mother and Child. The fiestas are known for parades of costumed "Moors and Christians" accompanied by many bands. Formerly held on the first Sunday, the celebration was moved to Saturday so that the many natives returning from southern Spain for the occasion would get a chance to see the Virgin before going back. 

Source: the town's website, www.lagineta.es

Also celebrated this date:

Marienkapelle, Würzburg, Lower Franconia, Bavaria, Germany. Devotions every Saturday in May.
Madonna delle Grazie, Nettuno, Roma, Latium, Italy. Procession with statue to St. John's Church.
Our Lady of Centocow, Creighton, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Pilgrimage of Polish people.
Virgen de los Remedios, Aguilar del Río Alhama, La Rioja, Spain. Romería.
Virgen del Pueyo, Binies, Huesca, Aragon, Spain (Virgin of the Hill). Romería.
Virgen del Castillo, Aguatón, Teruel, Aragon, Spain. Romería.
Virgen de la Aliaga, Córtes de Aragón, Teruel, Aragon, Spain (Virgin of the Gorse). Romería from surrounding towns.
Virgen de la Sierra, Herrera de los Navarros, Teruel, Aragon, Spain (Virgin of the Mountain Range). Romería from Nogueras, nine miles south. Mass, barbecue, bingo.
Mare de Déu de L'Avellà, Catí, Castellón, Valencia, Spain. Pilgrimage from Morella.
 

Where We Walked ~~~ Mary Ann Daly