Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Calabria made a pilgrimage to the Holy City of Caravaca de la Cruz, in honour of the Jubilee Year of Caravaca, which is being celebrated in 2024. This is a unique event, shared only by seven cities in the world of Christendom.

The Jubilee Year of the True Cross is a meeting point for many pilgrims who come from different parts of the world and wish to get closer to the Cross of Christ and thus gain plenary indulgences.

In this time of grace, HRH Prince Pedro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Grand Master of the Constantinian Order of Saint George, through the president of the commission for the Kingdom of Spain of the Constantinian Order, has called on all Constantinian knights and ladies in Spain to make a pilgrimage to Caravaca and “discover an order of people for people.” 

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Calabria have made a pilgrimage to the Holy City with a large group of gentlemen, ladies and family members in thanksgiving and to pray for the people most in need in this Jubilee Year 2024.

Upon their arrival at the Church of El Salvador, they were received by H.E. Álvaro Zuleta de Reales y Ansaldo, Duke of Linares, president of the Commission of the Constantinian Order for the Kingdom of Spain; H.E. Carlos Abella y de Arístegui, Ambassador of Spain and counselor of the Royal Provincial Council; Rafael Marcos y Pardo, the Constantinian Order’s Delegate in Castilla-La Mancha and Murcia; Juan Luis Doncel y Paredes, the Constantinian Order’s Delegate of Aragón, Navarra and La Rioja; Antonio Calvo y Rubio, the Constantinian Order’s Delegate of the Cantabrian Sea; and Francisco-Javier Fernández y Auñón, the Constantinian Order’s Delegate in the Valencian Community.

The Mayor of Caravaca de la Cruz, Mr. José Francisco García, Mr. Luis Melgarejo Armada, and the delegate for the Jubilee Year, the Reverend Father David Martínez Robles, joined the leaders of the Constantinian Order in Spain.

Once the greetings were over, the jubilee station was set up, presided over by the episcopal vicar of the area, Father David Martínez Robles, accompanied by Mr. Luis Enrique Martínez y Galera, Prior of the Order’s Delegation of Castilla-La Mancha and Murcia. The rite was performed at the jubilee station, and the pilgrims were blessed. Before the end of the ceremonies, the Duke of Calabria took the floor and explained that “the knights, ladies and ecclesiastics of the Order participate in religious life within our geographical and diocesan scope, both on the spiritual and liturgical levels, giving fulfillment of one of the founding purposes of our beloved Order.” In this sense, he emphasized that “being in Caravaca de la Cruz today is an extraordinary occasion that allows us to renew our Christian life and bear witness to our faith. That is the commitment we acquired the day we became part of the Order.” He also recalled the words of Pope Francis in his invitation to come to Caravaca in this Jubilee Year: “it will mean entering into the mystery of the love that Jesus Christ has offered us, we are going to Caravaca to participate in the mercy and forgiveness of God.”

After their time at the jubilee station in the El Salvador Church, the delegation traveled to the Basilica, where they were received by the Most Reverend Lorca Planes, Bishop of the diocese of Cartagena, the rector of the basilica, Father Emilio Sánchez, and the ecclesiastical authorities of the basilica. From there, Their Royal Highness Prince Pedro and Princess Sofia, accompanied by members of the Constantinian Order and the Royal and Illustrious Brotherhood of the Santísima y Vera Cruz de Caravaca, traveled to the Chacona Tower where they signed the Brotherhood’s Book of Honor. The senior Brother, Luis Melgarejo Armadam gave a replica of the wooden cross that Saint Teresa wore in her habit to the Duke and Duchess of Calabria. The institutional interventions were then carried out, and a toast was made with a dessert wine and the well-known Yemas de Caravaca de la Cruz.

At noon the Mass for pilgrims was celebrated in the fortress market, presided over by Bishop José Manuel Lorca Planes and in which thousands of faithful participated, including members of the Order and their family members.

At the end of day, already inside the Basilica, the sacred relic was venerated by the Duke and Duchess of Calabria and faithful attendees and pilgrims from all over the world.

The Day of Pilgrimage ended in the Chapter House of the Fortress. In it, the president of the Constantinian Order’s Commission for the Kingdom of Spain, H.E. Álvaro Zuleta de Reales y Ansaldo, Duke of Linares, began with a few words of welcome and encouragement to the people who were there.  He named the delegates before the Grand Master and awarded the different Benemerencia decorations approved by the Royal Council, as well as those recognizing participation in the pilgrimage to Santo Toribio de Liébana according to established norms.

Once the activities of the Day of Pilgrimage were over, a con fraternal meal took place for everyone present.