The church of Our Lady of the Assumption of Estepa hosted the presentation of the Rose of Passion, a symbol of the solidarity of organ donors, in an event that brought together transplant recipients and their families.
The church of Our Lady of the Assumption of Estepa was the scene of an emotional event in which the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Assumption, Patroness of the locality, received the Rose of Passion. This symbol represents the generosity of organ donors and their contribution to those waiting for a transplant as their only hope for life.
The distinction was presented by the Brotherhood of Rocío of Alcalá de Guadaíra, represented by its elder brother, Salvador Ramos. The elder brother of the Brotherhood of the Assumption of Estepa, Joaquín Amador, received the Rose of Passion in a gesture that unites faith, hope, and commitment to life.
The event began with an address by Dr. José Pérez Bernal, general director of Transplants at the Virgen del Rocío Hospital in Seville, who has been one of the driving forces behind raising awareness about organ donation in Andalusia. After his speech, he handed the floor to direct protagonists: transplant recipients and families of donors.
The testimonies of José Antonio, Lolo, Manuel, Carmen Mari, Jerusalén, and Vicente, all organ recipients, moved the audience that filled the temple. Each shared their experience, reminding everyone that behind each transplant is an act of generosity that offers a second chance.
Particularly touching were the interventions of Juan Andrés, son of a donor, and Carmen, a resident of Herrera, who donated a kidney to her husband after years of dialysis. The testimony of José Antonio was also impactful, as he recounted how his wife donated a kidney to a stranger in gratitude to the family of the anonymous donor who saved her husband's life years ago.
In closing, the councillor for Culture of the Estepa City Council, Ascen Castillo, expressed her gratitude for the invitation and highlighted the example of solidarity from donors, as well as the strength of transplant recipients. Joaquín Amador thanked the Brotherhood of Rocío of Alcalá de Guadaíra for coming to Estepa to present the Rose of Passion, a symbol that is now linked to the Patroness of the city.
The event was attended by the president of the General Council of Brotherhoods and Cofradías of Estepa, Antonio Vicente Bustos, and concluded with words from the parish vicar, Andrés Rodríguez, who invited attendees to join in singing the Salve to Our Lady of the Assumption. The day left a clear message: solidarity, hope, and life were the main protagonists.
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