Monsignor José Ángel Saiz Meneses has presided over the solemn pontifical for the 25th anniversary of the transfer of the Borriquita Brotherhood to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels, in Los Palacios and Villafranca.
The Archbishop of Seville, José Ángel Saiz Meneses, presided over the solemn pontifical on Friday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the transfer of the Borriquita Brotherhood to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels, in Los Palacios and Villafranca. The anniversary brought together numerous faithful and devotees in an event that combined remembrance and future projection.
A quarter of a century of presence in the chapel
“Twenty-five years is not just a date to remember; it is an opportunity to give thanks, to look back on the journey with humility, and to renew fidelity to the Lord,” the archbishop highlighted at the beginning of his homily. The brotherhood, popularly known as the Borriquita, moved to the palatial chapel in 2001, and since then has maintained an intense brotherhood and evangelising life.
In his address, Saiz Meneses recalled that the date coincides with the feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle. “Thomas does not settle for news received from afar. He wants to meet the Lord personally,” he explained, linking the figure of the apostle with the faith experience of the brotherhood.
“A brotherhood, over twenty-five years, also goes through moments of enthusiasm and moments of fatigue; through stages of growth and difficulties; through shared joys and trials that purify.”
A call to look to the future
The archbishop warned against the risk of being anchored in nostalgia. “It would be poor to celebrate twenty-five years looking only to the past,” he stated. He posed several questions to the attendees: What kind of brotherhood do we want to be in the next twenty-five years? A brotherhood closed in on itself, or open to the parish, to the people, to the poor, to the young, to families?
For the residents of Los Palacios and Villafranca, the Borriquita is a hallmark of identity. Every Palm Sunday, the brotherhood processes through the streets of the municipality, and its chapel is a meeting point for the community. The anniversary has served to strengthen that bond with the locality.
Saiz Meneses emphasised that “faith is preserved, matures, and strengthens in the Church. Those who separate from the community end up weakening.” A reflection that takes on special meaning in a brotherhood that has managed to remain active for a quarter of a century.
From the guestbook to the photographic gallery
At the end of the mass, the archbishop signed the brotherhood's protocol book and congratulated the governing board for organising the event. The corporation has set up a photographic gallery so that the faithful can relive the most significant moments of the celebration.
The anniversary not only looks to the past: the brotherhood has announced that it is preparing new activities for the coming months, aiming to involve the younger generation. “May every young person discover that faith is not a burden, but a light,” the archbishop wished during his homily.
For those who could not attend, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels remains open during worship hours, and the brotherhood encourages visits to learn more about its heritage and social work.
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