The fiestas of the Virgen Blanca, patroness of Vitoria-Gasteiz, which are celebrated every year from August 4 to 9, begin this year with an invitation from the bishop of the diocese, Juan Carlos Elizalde, to live these days of celebration from faith, fraternity, and the remembrance of the teachings left by Leo XIV during his recent apostolic visit to Spain.
In the message addressed to the diocesans on the occasion of the patronal feasts, the prelate emphasizes that these days represent «the joy of having a Mother,» the encounter between generations, and gratitude for the Christian roots of the city. At the same time, he invites that the celebrations not make us forget the words spoken by the Pontiff during his pilgrimage through Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands.
A call to reconciliation and the Eucharist
Elizalde recalls that Leo XIV insisted on placing «the person at the center,» especially those who suffer, live in loneliness, or experience any form of exclusion. He also highlights the Pope’s call to dialogue and reconciliation in a society marked by polarization, convinced that «sincere encounter is always more fruitful than permanent confrontation.»
The bishop also emphasizes the centrality of the Eucharist, recalling the Holy Father’s invitation to rediscover the real presence of Christ as a source of love, hope, and strength to transform society. Along with this, he highlights the message directed to young people not to be afraid to consider the priestly vocation or religious life as a path of total self-giving.
«Let us break with everything that separates us»
On the occasion of the patronal feasts, the bishop invites that «every greeting, every shared meal, and every encounter» serve to strengthen coexistence and prevent anyone from feeling alone.
In this context, he recalls the words spoken by Leo XIV in the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, where he evoked that «it was thanks to a demolished wall that the reunion of the Mother with her people took place,» as well as his call at the Abbey of Montserrat to «lay down the armor that hardens the heart in order to clothe ourselves only with the weapons of God.»
Under the protection of the Virgen Blanca
The message concludes with a prayer to the patroness of Vitoria-Gasteiz that she may grant the city the grace to be «builders of peace, sowers of hope, and witnesses to the joy of the Gospel.»
Elizalde also recalls one of the phrases spoken by Leo XIV during the Mass celebrated in Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles: «No one can kneel before the Lord and despise his brother.»
Finally, the bishop wishes all the people of Vitoria-Gasteiz a Virgen Blanca festival «filled with respect, joy, and fraternity.»