Entre el fidiómetro y el devotómetro

In brief

Jorge González Guadalix described the recent festivities for the Virgin of Buen Suceso in Braoja, which included four days of solemn masses, processions, and a popular social gathering. The celebration concluded with a pilgrimage to the hermitage, featuring traditional music from dulzainas, participants in serrano costumes, and jota dancing.

The pilgrimage included the transfer of the Virgin to the hermitage, followed by an auction of rods and flowers, a floral offering, and a solemn mass accompanied by guitars, lutes, drums, and dulzainas. After the mass, children were presented to the Virgin before the group returned to the parish.

Guadalix used the event to reflect on the distinction between mature devotion and superstition. He noted that while the local community shows great affection for the Virgin through these repeated traditions, there is no way to measure if such faith aligns with modern concepts of being synodal or committed to social and environmental issues. He also criticized certain modern critiques that dismiss traditional customs as a lack of formation or a need for theological updating.