"How much beauty and joy can be transmitted by a family that prays," said Ignacio Barrera in Torreciudad.

Torreciudad celebrated today the 33rd Marian Family Day, which brought together more than six thousand pilgrims from all over Spain. Ángel Lasheras welcomed the attendees, as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the opening for worship of the new temple dedicated to the Virgin of Torreciudad.

After the Angelus prayer, there was a varied presentation of offerings by the participating associations, parishes, schools and groups, such as flowers, local products, children's handicrafts, images of the Virgin and decorative objects.

Families as "bright and cheerful homes".

The Eucharist celebrated on the esplanade was the main act of the event, and was presided over by Ignacio Barrera, Vicar of Opus Dei in Spain. In his homily he encouraged people to collaborate so that "society will learn to love without calculation, to serve, to forgive, to give joy and peace. With words of St. Josemaría, he referred to families as "luminous and joyful homes," "sowers of peace and joy. And he asked: "Don't you think that there is a great need for this in our time, in social life, in political life, in the workplace?

Barrera also said that, starting from the personal light, "the Lord will take care of the rest and will kindle many other lights. Give light in your homes, in your schools, in elevators, when you play sports, in the workplace, in parks, in bars, in transportation, at parties, in stadiums and concerts... How much beauty and joy can be transmitted by a family that prays, loves one another, serves one another, forgives one another and is united.

"Laugh with others, don't laugh at others."

At the end of the ceremony, the parents made the traditional offering of their children to the Virgin of Torreciudad inside the church. At 15:00 h. the Alborada School Choirfrom Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), offered a recital on the esplanade, followed by a colloquium with the well-known couple Nachter and Roseanne (he has 27 million followers on social networks) on "How to improve our family relationships with a lot of humor".

Roseanne pointed out that, in order not to hurt anyone, it is very important "to laugh with others, not to laugh at others. Nachter recalled that, "just as mothers can do everything and do everything at the same time, so can the Virgin Mary, and for this reason we can ask her for a lot of help". Both agreed in their experience that "in the face of pain, it is essential that our life is not defined by suffering, but by the help we give each other. And above all God, who is our father and we can fully trust in Him even if sometimes we do not understand Him".

Volunteers and collaborators

The events concluded with the prayer of the rosary through the arcades of the esplanade and the blessing with the Blessed Sacrament from the outdoor altar. During the day, basic hygiene products were collected for needy families in the area, which will be distributed in collaboration with Caritas Diocesana de Barbastro-Monzón.

More than 200 volunteers have helped the participants in the services of parking, information, placement of chairs and signs, childcare, playground and cleaning. The Civil Guard, Aragon Tourism, the Huesca regions of Somontano de Barbastro, Ribagorza and Cinca Medio, the town councils of Secastilla and El Grado, the CARF Foundation and the Mahou San Miguel Group collaborated in the event.

Valuation of authorities

Javier Betorz, delegate of the Government of Aragon in Huesca, stressed that "Torreciudad is an undoubted focus of attraction, therefore has our full support in promoting religious and cultural tourism".

Mari Carmen Obis, mayor of El Grado, has pointed out the importance of the festival "in these calls to share our heritage and our joy, so that they reach new visitors".

José Luis Arasanz, deputy mayor of Secastilla, and Ana María Rabal, councilor, trust in the road axis project with El Grado and Graus through the municipality. Antonio Comps, mayor of Castejón del Puente, thinks that "the day is a very important event for Alto Aragón, with a deep positive meaning for the family and as an element of promotion".

Fernando Torres, mayor of Barbastro, said he was "very happy to repeat another edition, and to have shared the concern of the sanctuary for the damage caused by last night's storm", while for José Pedro Sierra, mayor of Peraltilla, "the best thing is that I have seen many people, with families that we hope will repeat and make our environment known".

José María Civiac, president of the Cinca Medio region and mayor of Alfántega, commented that "I have seen many people, willing to travel a long way sometimes, and of course, we must all work together to increase the number of visitors".

Lola Ibort, councilor in Almudévar and provincial deputy, said in her second attendance to this day, that "I am very happy to return because I share so many values that promote the family, which is so important. And these young families are, at the same time, the best ambassadors of our territory".