Archbishop Benavent presides over the Septenary of the Virgen de Santerón in Vallanca

Archbishop Enrique Benavent presided over a Mass in Vallanca on September 21 for the 44th Septenary of the Virgin of Santerón. The celebration, which honors the patron saint of Vallanca, runs from September 16 to September 26. This religious tradition occurs every seven years and has been practiced for over three centuries.

Accompanied by priests Ignacio Álvarez and Juan Manuel Martínez, the Archbishop visited the local town hall and met with residents, including the town's oldest neighbor, who is 103 years old.

The Septenary involves moving the image of the Virgin from her hermitage in the Algarra district of Cuenca to Vallanca. The statue remains in the town for nine days to preside over various processions and celebrations. Local tradition states the practice began when residents prayed at the hermitage to end a drought.