Puerto Lumbreras Fiestas of the Virgen del Carmen

Celebrations are held in the barrio of Los Limoneros and the pedanía of Góñar

Puerto Lumbreras celebrates its fiestas in honour of the Virgen del Carmen around the date of 17th July each Puerto Lumbreras Fiestas of the Virgen del Carmen year in the Barrio de Los Limoneros and the pedanía of Góñar.

The day takes the traditional format of a floral offering to the Virgen del Carmen on the Saturday nearest to her saint’s day, and a mass in the chapel dedicated to the Virgen del Rosario, in the district of Los Limoneros.

On the Sunday a traditional romería takes place, in which the image of the Virgen is carried around the streets of the district.

The pedanía of Góñar in Puerto Lumbreras also has local fiestas dedicated to the Virgen del Carmen and holds a procession with their image of the virgen from the church to the sports ground, where a mass is held in honour of the Virgen.

History behind the devotion to the Virgen del Carmen

The history of devotion to the Virgen del Carmen goes way back in history, 300 years before Christ was even born, to Galilee, and to a mountain called the Carmelo, the Hebrew word for garden.

The story says that in 300 BC a great drought threatened the livelihood of all those living in the area, and the holy men living on the mountain, amongst them the Prophet Elias, joined with those praying for rain. Whilst praying on the mountain top he saw a vast white cloud which came from the sea and rose into the air, bringing the much longed for rain. Elias interpreted this as being a sign of the coming of a saviour, who would be conceived from a virgin and would bring a rain of blessings. From then on, the community dedicated itself to praying for the mother of the redeemer, and for her arrival, the result of which was the emergence of the Carmelites, whose devotion was to our Lady of Carmen, the Virgen del Carmen.

The day of 16th July as being the day of the Virgen del Carmen is actually due to an Englishman, a man called Simon Stock who founded various monasteries dedicated to the cult of the Virgen del Carmen across Europe in the 13th century.

On the 16th July 1251, the Virgen is said to have appeared to him holding a scapular in her hands, saying the words: Let this be a sign and privilege for you and for all Carmelites: whoever dies, using the scapular will never suffer eternal fire.

(A scapular is a piece of cloth worn by religious orders, having originated as an apron, but is also a devotional item consisting of two small pieces of cloth, or laminated paper joined by two longer pieces of cloth, normally bearing religious texts. Both bring promises for those who wear them.)

For this reason, the Virgen del Carmen is celebrated on 16th July.

By the Middle ages the Virgen del Carmen had become known as the "Estrella del Mar" the star of the sea, of particular significance for sailors who are guided by the stars of the sea. The Virgen became associated as the star who guides us through the difficult waters of life to safe port, the port being the love of Christ.

By the 18th century the cult of the Virgen del Carmen was widespread in Spain and towards the end of the 18th century, the Spanish Admiral Antonio Barceló Pont de la Terra (1716-1797) decided to change the patronship of Spanish sailors from that of Saint Telmo for that of the Virgen del Carmen.

You´ll often find a "Barrio del Carmen" in Spanish cities, a district named in her honour, and it´s normal for there to be a celebration of some sort in any Barrio del Carmen on the 16th July.

Here in the region of Murcia, acts of homage to the Virgen del Carmen are known to have begun in 1792.

Click for more information about the Puerto Lumbreras municipality