On Saturday, November 22, we celebrated in Pallerols de Rialb the traditional Rose Encounter Festival, a day that commemorates a very special event experienced by Saint Josemaría Escrivá 88 years ago: he found a rose on the floor of the church of Sant Esteve de Pallerols that confirmed his decision to continue his path of escape to Andorra in 1937, in the midst of religious persecution.

It brought together nearly 150 people, including local authorities and families from different parts of Catalonia, Andorra and Spain.

The festival was presided over by Mons. Josep-Lluís Serrano, Bishop of Urgell and Co-Prince of Andorra, who was received by the Vicar of Opus Dei for Spain, Mons. Ignacio Barrera, and the Vicar for Catalonia and Andorra, Mons. Ignasi Pujol, as well as the board of the Association of Friends of the Path from Pallerols de Rialb to Andorra.

During the morning, those attending the gathering were able to watch a documentary that recreates the adventure of Saint Josemaría, emphasizing the difficulties and anguish he experienced the night before the encounter with the rose, doubting whether his decision was the will of God.

The Eucharist, the central celebration of the feast, was presided over by Mons. Serrano and concelebrated by priests from the Diocese of Urgell and the prelature of Opus Dei.

In his homily, Bishop Josep-Lluís Serrano recalled that the golden wooden rose found inside the looted church was not an anecdote: “It was a sacrament of hope, a sign that God was present and that his work was still alive. Today we gather under the tender gaze of the Virgin of Pallerols, on this very endearing feast, to contemplate God’s passage in history, in the life of Saint Josemaría and, above all, in the path of each one of us.” Mons. Serrano encouraged the faithful to ask the Virgin Mary “for the rose of service to others.”

 

 

Prior to the celebration of the Eucharist, the traditional prayer for the deceased was performed in front of the cemetery

 

followed by a solemn procession with the image of the Virgin of the Rosary to the temple, accompanied by the singing of the Joys of Pallerols.

 

The day was completed with the Angelus prayer, a visit to the rectory and a musical performance with viola and cello

 

Upon leaving the church, the bishop was able to greet many of those present.

 

 

After the liturgical celebrations, there was a fellowship meal

 

And a good group had lunch on the outskirts of Pallerols where they made a barbecue.

 

In the afternoon, the party concluded with the recitation of the Rosary, the veneration of a relic of Saint Josemaría and the singing of the Hail Mary.

 

Before leaving, Bishop Serrano and the vicar of Opus Dei signed the Pallerols book of honor.