The Sanfermines is one of the most popular festivals in Spain and the world, with a great history and tradition that brings together every year more than a million people from different countries. It is a Festival of International Tourist Interest that is celebrated in Pamplona in honor of San Fermín de Amiens, who is co-patron saint of Navarre along with San Francisco Javier.
But in recent weeks, the Spanish city has had one more reason to celebrate as, on June 23, the parish of Our Lady of Peace, located in the eastern part of the Navarrese capital, commemorated its 50th anniversary with a series of events and celebrations that brought together the entire community. The parish, which was founded in 1974 and is managed by the Augustinian Recollect Fathers, has been a great spiritual and social pillar in Pamplona.
The day began with a Mass presided by the Archbishop of Pamplona and Tudela, Florencio Roselló, followed by a concert offered by the Cathedral’s music chapel. The Golden Jubilee celebration brought together almost 200 people, including 70 scoutstheir families and former parishioners.
Fr. José Luis UrrizaThe current parish priest of Our Lady of Peace, explained the humble origins of the parish and that “it began in a plot of land managed by the Augustinian Recollects in collaboration with the builder Flores. Since its inception, the parish has stood out for its community focus and its commitment to the education and formation of young people, especially through scoutgroups.”
The name of the parish was chosen in honor of St. Augustine, who dedicated the main church of Hippo to Peace, the famous Basilica Pacis. The celebration of the World Day of Peace, proclaimed by Pope Paul VI in 1974, also played a role. This name reflects the community’s desire to be a symbol of peace and hope in the city.
The program of activities included presentations on the history of the parish, displays of old photos and testimonials from former parishioners and scouts, who fondly recalled the camps, activities and various community services that have characterized the parish’s activity over the decades.
The church, designed by architect Francisco Javier Gorritxo, stands out for its exterior simplicity, which contrasts with its capacity to hold 500 people inside. The temple has many special elements, among which the Cristo del Perdón and the beautiful stained glass windows by the artist Raventós are worth mentioning.
The 50th anniversary celebration was not only an occasion to reflect on the past, but also to look to the future with hope and commitment, as expressed by Fr. José Luis: “Our parish has a lot of life and we are grateful for the continuous spiritual animation we receive. We hope to continue serving the community for many years to come”.
