Bells chime, choirs sing, masses are held, and processions process leading up to the Day of the Immaculate Conception in Granada, Dec. 8 – also a national holiday.

We experienced first-hand the beautiful tradition of the procession of Mary into the Cathedral on her candlelit gold throne followed by bishop, priests, and people (photo below).

This holiday holds special importance here. Granada was the first Spanish city to take an official oath in 1618 to admit and defend the Catholic theology of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

And, in case you didn’t know, there are so many virgins – the Virgen of Mercy, Virgen of Sorrows, Virgen of the Greatest Sorrow, and others, not to mention the six different Mary’s listed in the New Testament.

A list of the three processions, nine kissing of hands, five venerations, and countless masses between Dec. 5-8 in Granada may be found here.