Orihuela's Macarena to be Carried on Shoulders for its Centenary

The Brotherhood of El Perdón will remodel the throne of its titular image to be carried by bearers during its centenary celebration in 2027.

Image of a processional throne with detailed metalwork and embroidered fabrics.
IA

Image of a processional throne with detailed metalwork and embroidered fabrics.

The Brotherhood of El Perdón in Orihuela, celebrating its 99th anniversary, has announced the remodeling of the throne of María Santísima del Perdón, popularly known as La Macarena, to be carried on shoulders by bearers for its centenary in 2027.

The brotherhood's board of directors unanimously approved the remodeling of the Virgin's throne. This work will be carried out by the goldsmiths Orovio de la Torre in Torralba de Calatrava (Ciudad Real) in conjunction with the Bordados Perales workshops, located in the same municipality, which will modify the canopy to fit the new structure of the float.
Taking advantage of the planned work on the structure due to wear, the brotherhood has opted to remove the wheels so that the image can be carried by up to 66 bearers, according to initial estimates. This change aims to enhance the visual appeal of the procession, as the image inspires great devotion among the brotherhood members.
The creation of a new vestment for the bearers has also been approved, following the style already established by the Calvary section, which also processes on shoulders. In this case, the tunic will be velvet with a cincture and cuffs in yellow. Dismantling of the float will begin this week to start transferring the elements to the workshops.
This action is one of the first activities that the Brotherhood of El Perdón will undertake for its centenary, a commemoration that will extend until May 27, 2027, the date on which the brotherhood will complete one hundred years since its founding.
Before Holy Week, the brotherhood reinstated the daily worship of María Santísima del Perdón, which it had maintained since its arrival in the city in 1953. The image was moved last February from the Holy Week Museum to the cathedral, where it can be venerated in the chapel of Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Caída.