The drummers of the Hermandad Matriz de Almonte opened a momentous day at the Sala Argentina of the Palacio Libertad in Buenos Aires. For the first time, representatives of Rocío associations and brotherhoods from various American countries, including Argentina, the United States, Brazil, Chile, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Cuba, gathered to share experiences and define the future of the devotion.
The I Continental Meeting of El Rocío in America reached its peak with the reading and signing of the Manifesto of Rocío Devotees of America. This document, comprising ten points and six commitments, establishes the roadmap for the integration of the continent's Rocío entities into the structure of the Hermandad Matriz de Nuestra Señora del Rocío de Almonte.
“"The text includes the commitment to keep the devotion to the Virgin of El Rocío alive within each of them, to preserve the identity signs of the Rocío tradition without distorting them, to recognize the historical, spiritual, and canonical primacy of the Almonte mother brotherhood, and, notably, to jointly promote the candidacy of the devotion to the Virgin of El Rocío for the category of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco."
In addition to signing the manifesto, attendees agreed to establish the Pan-American Network of Rocío Associations. This instrument seeks to articulate the relationship between the more than thirty Rocío entities identified on the continent and to channel their participation to achieve recognition as full-fledged brotherhoods.
During the day, topics such as the history of Rocío devotion and the new regulatory framework for the organization of brotherhoods were discussed. The prosecutor of the Hermandad Matriz explained that American entities that achieve the status of international brotherhoods must officially pilgrimage to the village of El Rocío every seven years, coinciding with the transfers of the Virgin to Almonte. The Hermandad Matriz commits to including them in the official pilgrimage calendar and receiving them at the Sanctuary with the same welcome and officiality as other brotherhoods.
The event concluded with the unveiling and blessing of a tile of the Virgin of El Rocío in the Andalusian Patio of Palermo's Rosedal Park, donated by the Hermandad Matriz to the city of Buenos Aires. The day ended with sevillanas dances and the singing of the Salve rociera, leaving a legacy of unity and commitment for Rocío devotion in America.
