The Procession

For almost 200 years “The Christ of the Victory” has awakened passion among the Vigueans  because for them, this image is much more than the representation of crucified Jesus Christ. While some people work to cultivate this tradition and participate at the procession, others make efforts year after year for every edition be better than the previous one.

After celebrating in several seasons of the year it was finally decided that the procession leaves the first Sunday of August.

The board of directors participates since the constitution in the procession and in the year 1952, it is established that this is going to be situated 100 meters behind the image of the Holy Christ and all the members must go with the silver and golden medals.

The festivity of Christ of the Victory begins with the novena celebrated to her honor. In 1960, with the purpose of getting the events more solemn, the prelate gave permission for the celebration of the Holy Mass to all the novena that is in charge of a group of famous speakers. The last Friday of each month the badges of the new brothers and sisters are blessed and it is proceeded to the imposition.

The descent of Christ takes place in a period of time before an important event, in this way, the devotees can kiss the image or touch it with the handkerchiefs and sing the anthem dedicated to Christ.

On one side, the street cry is a reflex of the historical, social, political, economical and spiritual evolution of Vigo city. It is proceeded to the reading soon before the procession in el Pazo-Museo Quiñones de Leon by an outstanding personality of the city.

The day of the procession, since early in the morning people are crowded in the proximities of the Concathedral. In the afternoon, the organization of the procession begins. In 1953, it was established that the squadron of the chivalry of the Civil Custodian  is placed in front of the house of  Mr Estanislao Durán  en la Ronda de Cánovas del Castillo. Since then, the procession is carried out in the Berbes, where Christ is received with twelve bombs and rockets. During those years,  the merciful associations were placed between two lines of devotees taking the candles, some in the right hand and some in the left one to avoid burning themselves one at every side of the roadway and in this way they will think up to the fishing port. However, as the number of devotees grew, it was decided to organize the procession in four lines, two at each side.

It was opened with the soldiers ahorse, but as it was very complicated to retrieve their efforts they were finally replaced 1956 by altar boys lagging with Nazarene habits and carrying a type of short cloak with the cross in purple satin on the chests, elected among the ones who participated in the Pontifical Mass. They took the cross and two lamps accompanied by the five who belong to the guild.

In the procession, only the image of Christ can be seen with the gala canopy, preceded by the standard of Christ taken always by a Viguean personality invited by the institution. The Christ is accompanied by the screenplay of the guild, carried by a member or a person selected by them. Together to the pennon, the member of the guild, headed by the Eldest Brother, identified with the medals. It is followed by all the members of the Local Government who would like to take part, the major and the pennon of the city, all civil authorities and military staff invited, it is closed by cortege of bishop and vicar.

Besides the leaving, the moment of more emotion is the stop carried in la Puerta del Sol, before ending he procession. It is the moment of final prayer for the dead: “Let us thank god who gives us the victory for our Lord Jesus Christ. Be like that”.

Thus, the crowd intones in a choir the Anthem of the Christ of the Victory. Thousands of voices are joined in only one while the youngsters with the traditional suit that accompanied the procession, are the protagonist of a small dance with the baskets of flowers on the top.

After coming back to church, Christ stays three days placed in its biers and surrounded by flowers which have been offered by the devotees. After these days, it is returned to the mayor altar up the following year procession.

“Happy are the ones who have conscience of the spiritual need, for the reign of heavens belongs to them.”
Mat 5:3