On August 5th, Ibiza Cathedral once again became the spiritual heart of the island amid liturgical chants, the scent of flowers and light filtering through the entrance door. As every year, the temple was adorned with solemn decorations to host the mass in honour of Santa María de las Nieves, the patron saint of Ibiza. This is an event that transcends religion, becoming an occasion of roots, history and emotion for those who have marked this date in their calendars.
The ceremony was presided over by the Bishop of Ibiza, Vicent Ribas, who was accompanied by members of the clergy from various parishes. In his homily, Ribas reflected on the Virgin's symbolism of unconditional love, humility, and solidarity, and emphasised her role in inspiring the creation of a better society. Among the dozens of people arriving at the cathedral was Loli, who had come with two friends. They arrived breathless from climbing the steep slopes in the heat. 'We were told there was a bus to take us to the top, but we haven't seen it,' she said, her voice breaking.
Freedom and respect
The bishop emphasized the value of freedom, both individual and collective, and called on the faithful to work for a society in which all people can express themselves with respect.
«Mary meditated on everything she experienced, and that invites us too to reflect without fear, to express ourselves freely in an open society, where no one is afraid to share their thoughts with respect.» He also emphasized that devotion to the Virgin Mary must be accompanied by a commitment to the dignity of the most vulnerable people.
Despite the heat, the central nave and side chapels were filled with the faithful, authorities, and representatives of cultural entities. As soon as it began, silence fell, interrupted only by whispers and the last attendees rushing in, many of them fanning themselves to combat the stifling heat. «We saw so many people outside that we stayed out of curiosity,» said David and Nuria, a couple of tourists surprised by the magnitude of the celebration.
As every year, the Vila group stood out among the attendees with their traditional clothing, as did the Cor Ciutat d'Eivissa choir, whose voices accompanied the key moments of the mass.
The most emotional moment came with the floral offering. In silence, dozens of people paraded down the central aisle to leave their bouquets at the feet of the image of the patron saint. A collective gesture that is repeated every year with the same emotion as always.