For over 75 years, this tradition has gathered thousands of the faithful in Veraguas. With deep faith, devotion, and hope, the Catholic community of Santiago once again celebrated this year the traditional pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. This religious practice, now over seven decades old, is part of the spiritual legacy left by the first evangelizers, the Pauline and Elizabethan Fathers, in this region of the country. Father Oriel Concepción of the Diocese of Santiago highlighted that the participation of the faithful grows year after year, which he affirmed demonstrates a strengthening of faith in the image of the Miraculous Medal among the people of Veraguas. 'We observe how adults, young people, and children join this act of devotion. Public institutions, private companies, and entire communities also participate, preparing and decorating their altars to accompany the procession,' said the priest. The pilgrimage culminates with a solemn Mass in the Cathedral of Santiago, where believers give thanks and make petitions to the Virgin Mary. For many residents, the event holds profound spiritual and cultural significance. Vladimir Hernández, a resident of Santiago, commented that every year 'hundreds of people from all over the country and even foreigners who also profess the Catholic faith travel to Santiago to venerate the Mother of God on this special date'. The pilgrimage of the Miraculous Medal has become one of the most important religious expressions in Veraguas, uniting generations and keeping alive the traditions that have marked the spiritual identity of the province.
