The Virgen del Socorro, patron saint of Tíjola, was honored this midday with the Golden Shield of the province of Almería. The ceremony, held after the procession and Holy Mass in honor of the patron saint, was attended by the President of the Provincial Council, José Antonio García Alcaina, the mayor of Tíjola, José Juan Martínez, and the Chief Brother of the Brotherhood, Miguel Ángel Pozo.
The Tíjola Corporation, the Vice President of the Council, Almudena Morales, and representatives of the Junta de Andalucía, along with other civil and military authorities, attended this moving event at the Parish Church of Santa María de Tíjola. The Brotherhood led the ceremony, which concluded with the presentation of the Golden Shield and the accrediting parchment, symbolizing Tíjola's capacity to keep its roots alive.
During his speech, García Alcaina congratulated the residents on the 450th anniversary of the Virgen's patronage, highlighting it as the oldest documented in the province and a source of hope. He explained that the Golden Shield is the Council's highest recognition, reserved for those who improve provincial well-being, and acknowledged the Brotherhood's social and spiritual work for 425 years, dating back to 1601.
The president emphasized that the distinction honors not only faith and popular religiosity but also the identity, roots, traditions, and Christian values of Tíjola, establishing it as a benchmark for the Valle del Almanzora and a symbol of unity for all people of Almería. He recalled how the devotion resurfaced after the image was destroyed during the Civil War.
Mayor José Juan Martínez described the day as the most important for the people of Tíjola, marking a historic moment. He highlighted the 450th anniversary of the patronage, recalling that the Virgen was proclaimed advocate and succor 450 years ago, protecting the municipality. The shield, he stated, is a recognition of an entire town and the generations who have kept the devotion alive.
Martínez extended the Virgen's protective sentiment to the entire province, asking her mantle to also protect all residents of Almería. For his part, Chief Brother Miguel Ángel Pozo expressed gratitude for the distinction, which enriches the heritage and enhances the 450 years of history of the only invocation of 'Socorro' that has endured through the centuries.
“"Your commitment is not limited to special dates: it is lived 365 days a year."
“"There is something that we people of Tíjola always say, and that is that we all fit under the Virgen's mantle. That mantle has protected Tíjola for centuries, and today I ask it to extend to the entire province and also protect all the people of Almería."
