A celebration centered on Mary and the family
The day opened with the traditional offerings of flowers, food, and works of charity to the Virgin of Torreciudad, presented by families from different parts of the country. In an atmosphere of recollection, the message sent by the Holy Father was read, encouraging perseverance in Marian devotion and family unity as the core of Christian life.
The highlight was the outdoor Holy Mass, presided over on the sanctuary’s esplanade. It was concelebrated by the priests along with Ignacio Barrera, accompanied by liturgical singing and the participation of the Alborada School Choir from Alcalá de Henares (Madrid).
One of the most anticipated gestures was the offering of children to Our Lady of Torreciudad, where families placed their little ones under the Virgin’s protection, a gesture that already has a deep tradition in Torreciudad.
Rosary Procession and festive atmosphere
In the afternoon, the Rosary procession took place, prayed in a massive way by the pilgrim families, who accompanied the image of the Virgin with songs and prayers.
The program also included the testimony of the couple formed by Nachter and Roseanne, very well-known on social media—he with more than 27 million followers—who drew smiles and reflections with a talk titled “How to improve our family relationships with a lot of humor”.
50 years of Torreciudad, a living sanctuary
The Torreciudad sanctuary, promoted by Saint Josemaría Escrivá and become a Marian reference in Spain, will celebrate in 2025, amid controversies with the diocese, half a century since the inauguration of its new temple. The Marian Day of the Family has established itself over these decades as an event that combines prayer, formation, fellowship, and evangelizing mission, with a special role for families.
This year, the sanctuary’s esplanade filled up again, confirming that Torreciudad is, half a century after its opening, a point of reference for Marian devotion and the defense of the Christian family.