The Virgin of the Incarnation will sail the sea again in Adeje: a celebration that takes place every five years.
In Adeje, Spain, a maritime procession will take place with the image of the Virgin of the Incarnation from Puerto Colón to La Enramada beach, accompanied by a light show, in honor of the city's patron saint, whose miracles are described in the 16th-century "Book of Miracles."
This Saturday, the Virgin of the Incarnation will once again sail the sea from Puerto Colón to La Enramada beach. This is the main event of the celebrations in honor of the Virgin, which take place once every five years in Adeje. This is how the locals honor their patron saint.
The image of the Virgin will be placed on a ship, and dozens of boats will sail with it in a sea procession to La Enramada beach. There, an impressive light show with music and drones awaits everyone.
In 2020, the Vatican officially recognized the Virgin of the Incarnation as the patron saint of Adeje. The local church, community, and city council requested this. This recognition confirmed the ancient belief, which was written about as early as the 16th century.
According to legends recorded in the "Book of Miracles," which is carefully preserved in the Church of Saint Ursula in Adeje, the Virgin was first worshiped on the coast of La Enramada. A small chapel was built there in 1558. Locals came there to pray for rain during droughts and for protection from diseases.
In 1586, after a pirate attack, the image of the Virgin was moved to the church, where it remains to this day.
Over time, the veneration of the Virgin became associated with the Ponte family, who owned these lands and supported this tradition.
The history of miracles associated with the Virgin dates back to ancient times. In 1745, the Marquise Magdalena Luisa de Llerena y Viñas asked the bishop to collect information about the miracles attributed to the Virgin.
This is how the "Book of Miracles of the Virgin of the Incarnation" appeared, which contains more than twenty stories recorded between 1746 and 1752.
These stories have something in common: the color of the Virgin's face changed and turned red at important moments, the oil from the lamp in front of her image had healing power and helped the sick, and the Virgin protected against various disasters, such as droughts, epidemics, and locust plagues.
The "Book of Miracles" mentions a locust plague in 1694, when the fields in the south were completely destroyed.
The locals promised to celebrate the day of the Virgin every year, and after that, the locusts disappeared.
In 1737, when the promise was forgotten, the locusts reappeared, but the people renewed the promise, and the disaster passed. Other stories tell of cases of healing.
In the presence of notary Antonio Josefa de Acosta Montesdeoca, Catalina Álvarez y Méndez, a resident of Adeje, assured that "the boy was cured of mumps after touching a piece of the Virgin's clothing."
The book also mentions cases when people "regained their sight, began to walk, or got rid of fever after being anointed with oil from the lamp."
The most interesting story recorded in the book is the case of a rider who "fell from his horse in La Enramada" but prayed to the Virgin and remained unharmed.
According to 85-year-old Pascual Luis, recorded in 1746: "The oil from her lamp miraculously heals all diseases, and her miracles are known throughout the island. This is common knowledge."
The modern sculpture of the Virgin, created at the end of the 16th century, is 126 cm high. She is depicted standing, with an open book in her left hand (a symbol of the word of God) and a rose in her right (instead of the traditional lily).
Over time, the Virgin's wardrobe was replenished thanks to donations: dresses made of brocade, fabric, and camlet, crowns, jewelry, and other ornaments. Her attire is a symbol of a continuous tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation.