Monsignor José Domingo Ulloa, Archbishop of Panama, will be in charge of preaching the novena in honour of the Virgin of the Kings, patroness of Seville. His presence coincides with the centenary of the Panamanian archdiocese.
The Archdiocese of Seville has confirmed that the Archbishop of Panama, Monsignor José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta, will be the preacher of the novena in honour of the Virgin of the Kings, which will be held at Seville Cathedral in the days leading up to the solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Monsignor Ulloa, a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, has expressed that he receives the invitation "with profound emotion and gratitude." In statements released by the Seville archbishopric, the prelate emphasised that he does not interpret it as a personal recognition, but as "a gesture of ecclesial communion" between the Church that pilgrims in Panama and that of Seville.
"It is also a sign of communion between two sister churches united since the dawn of evangelisation," Ulloa added, who recalled that from the port of Seville departed the first evangelisers to the New World and that Panama was one of the first territories where Christianity took root.
The presence of the Panamanian archbishop takes on special significance this year, as the archdiocese of Panama celebrates its centenary. For Ulloa, the fact that a Panamanian bishop preaches at Seville Cathedral represents a sort of "inverted journey" in relation to that first evangelisation.
The bond between both dioceses is also strengthened through Marian devotion. Santa María la Antigua, patroness of Panama, maintains a close relationship with the capital of Seville. "My entire priestly life has been profoundly marked by Santa María la Antigua. Preaching before the Virgin of the Kings is a beautiful encounter between two Marian advocations that unite the spiritual history of Seville and Panama," the archbishop pointed out.
The novena, which will take place at Seville Cathedral, will have as its thread the figure of Mary as Mother of hope. According to Ulloa, his preaching will focus on the idea that "Mary never takes her eyes off her children" and that "whoever walks with Mary never loses hope because she always leads to Christ."
The Panamanian archbishop has emphasised the need to convey a message of hope in a time of social uncertainty. "The world needs to know that God has not grown tired or forgotten us. We have a Mother in heaven who constantly reminds us that God remains faithful," he affirmed.
During his speech, Monsignor Ulloa highlighted three verbs that, in his opinion, Mary teaches and which are particularly necessary today: "to listen, to keep and to serve." "We live talking a lot and listening little; running a lot and contemplating little; demanding a lot and serving little," he criticised.
The prelate has also claimed the value of popular piety as an authentic school of evangelisation. "Authentic popular piety is a simple faith, but not superficial. When it is well evangelised, it educates the heart, transmits faith across generations and makes the Gospel accessible even to those who may never read a treatise on theology," he emphasised.
For Ulloa, true Marian devotion always leads to Christ. "Mary never says: 'Look at me.' She always says: 'Do what He tells you.' To know if a Marian devotion is authentic, one must ask oneself if it brings me closer to the Gospel, to the Eucharist and to the service of the poor," he specified.
The novena of the Virgin of the Kings is one of the great moments in the religious life of Seville. Every year, hundreds of faithful gather at the Cathedral to participate in the services leading up to the feast of the Assumption. Monsignor Ulloa has highlighted that these types of celebrations continue to be "one of the great atriums where many people return to the Church." "There are those who enter the Cathedral out of tradition, curiosity or because they are suffering. Precisely there exists the possibility of encountering Christ," he affirmed.
The Panamanian archbishop has stated that he does not wish to limit himself to imparting teachings, but to share the experience of a missionary Church that has learned that diversity is a richness when Christ occupies the centre. In that sense, he recalled the World Youth Day as an example that "an open, welcoming and missionary Church continues to awaken hope."
At the conclusion of the novena, the prelate hopes that participants return home with renewed hearts. "I hope they encounter God, that they experience a Church that awaits and embraces them without judging, and a living Christ who transforms life," he wished.
The novena of the Virgin of the Kings will begin on August 6 and will last until August 14, the eve of the solemnity of the Assumption. The preachings will take place every evening at Seville Cathedral, starting at 19:30, with the celebration of the Eucharist and the recitation of the novena.
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