The parish of Santa María de África confirmed that the novena in honor of the patron saint of Ceuta would continue to be celebrated as normal, despite the decision adopted by the Autonomous City to suspend the patronal festivities scheduled between August 1 and 8 due to the crisis caused by the mass entry of immigrants from Morocco.
“The devotions of the novena in honor of Our Lady of Africa continue to be celebrated with complete normality. Every day at 12:00 and at 20:00,” the parish announced through its X account. The message also included an appeal to the people of Ceuta:
“It is more important than ever that we resist by celebrating together what is most important about our identity.”
The notice allowed the liturgical acts to be distinguished from the festive program suspended by the Ceuta government. The authorities’ decision affected the Fair and the civil celebrations linked to the patron saint, whose inauguration was scheduled for Saturday, August 1, but did not alter the novena or the Masses celebrated in the sanctuary.
The apostolic administrator attended the novena on Friday
The vicar of Santa María de África, Jesús Molina, warned that “the fair has been canceled, but the celebration of the novena Masses remains in place. At 12:00 today the apostolic administrator bishop is coming exceptionally. We sink with the ship,” the priest wrote at the time, asking that the message be shared among the neighbors.
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The continuity of the novena maintains one of the main religious events on the Ceuta calendar. The Virgin of Africa, patron saint of the city for centuries, is one of its main historical and spiritual references, and every summer gathers the faithful during the days leading up to her feast, celebrated on August 5.
The parish maintains the devotions
This Sunday, August 2, the novena continues according to the schedule announced by the parish, with Masses at 12:00 and at 20:00. In the face of the suspension of the festive program, Santa María de África has insisted on maintaining community prayer and participation in the Eucharist.