Catalá Praises Saint Vincent Ferrer and Highlights His Legacy in Child Protection
The Mayor of València emphasizes the importance of the festivity and regrets the opposition's absence from religious events.
By Neus Mollà i Roca
••2 min read
IA
Facade of València City Hall with balcony and iron railings, bathed in afternoon sunlight.
The Mayor of València, María José Catalá, has extolled the figure of Saint Vincent Ferrer, patron saint of the city, emphasizing his intellect and work in child protection, particularly the College of Orphaned Children of Saint Vincent.
In statements to the media, Catalá noted that the Dominican established and launched fundamental institutions for the city, such as the College of Orphaned Children of Saint Vincent, considered one of the oldest child protection centers in Europe and an important reference.
The mayor expressed satisfaction that the festive program, including the traditional Miracles of Sant Vicent, could be held normally, despite adverse weather conditions in previous days.
Furthermore, she recalled that in 2025 the festivity coincided with the blackout that affected all of Spain, a day she described as "very extraordinary." She expressed her wish that all this year's celebrations proceed with complete normality.
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"It was a very complicated day. A year later, we still don't know exactly who caused that blackout. I believe there has been an information blackout about the causes that we will one day know, but I would have liked to know them a year later."
Regarding the absence of opposition representatives at religious events, Catalá commented that it is "common for the left not to participate in the traditions of the city of València, such as the day of the patron saint, Saint Vincent Martyr or Saint Vincent Ferrer."
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"I have always said, and I said it when I was leader of the opposition, that often the distance of the institution is confused with a lack of respect for tradition, culture, and the people who have watched over it for many years. I believe one thing does not preclude the other. That is to say, the secular nature of the political institution does not entail, by any means, distance from a cultural event, essential in the history of the city, which I believe deserves much more respect. But well, I never fail; whoever fails Saint Vincent will know what they are doing."
