(ANS – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) – On Saturday, May 2, 2026, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Anne in the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will become the focal point of a historic day with the celebration of the Canonical Coronation of the image of Mary Help of Christians, who will be solemnly proclaimed Queen and Crowned Mother Help of Christians. The solemn pontifical ceremony will begin at 5:00 p.m. and will be presided over by José Mazuelos Pérez, Bishop of the Canary Islands, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Cristóbal Déniz Hernández, as well as Salesians and diocesan priests.

The event will mark a milestone in the city’s history, as it coincides with the centennial of the blessing of the image, created in 1923 and originating from the Salesian workshops in Sarriá, Barcelona.

The process requesting the canonical coronation was officially approved by the Bishop of the Diocese of the Canary Islands and announced by the Rector of the Salesians in Las Palmas, Fr. José Antonio Perdigones Bautista, during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in 2024. Final approval of the Decree of Coronation took place on September 24, 2025, with its public reading during the Eucharist presided over by the same bishop at the Parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria, run by the Salesians in Las Palmas.

The conferral of this honor recognizes the deep-rooted devotion of the people of Gran Canaria to Mary Help of Christians, as well as the exceptional educational, social, and pastoral work carried out for more than a century by the local Salesian Family—especially the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians—throughout the archipelago.

A Journey of Spiritual, Cultural, and Charitable Preparation

The Salesian community has launched an extensive program of preparation for the event, combining religious, cultural, and social initiatives. Among the first steps are the unveiling of the official poster, created by Córdoba-based painter Juan Manuel Ayala Pérez, and the premiere of the processional march Auxiliadora Salesiana Coronada, composed by Adrián Blanco Jaramillo.

In addition, the ceremony will feature a Coronation Hymn, with lyrics by José Luis Yánez Rodríguez and music by Eduardo Purriños Armas, which will accompany the principal moments of this historic celebration.

Faithful to the charism of Don Bosco, the coronation will also include a significant element of solidarity. Donations are being collected for the campaign promoted by the Salesian NGO Bosco Global: “Providing educational, psychosocial, and learning support to vulnerable refugee children in Lebanon,” in support of the Ángeles de Paz Salesian School.

As a gesture of institutional recognition, the sponsors of the Coronation will be the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Diocesan Caritas.

Calendar of Events

The program leading up to the coronation begins in the coming days and includes various celebrations that will bring the image closer to the faithful across different parts of the city. This journey goes beyond the purely liturgical sphere and is intended as a collective tribute to the presence of Mary Help of Christians in the lives of thousands of young people and families in the Canary Islands over more than a century.

• April 19: Procession of Mary Help of Christians, beginning at 11:30 a.m. from the Salesian Parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Las Palmas.
• April 24, 5:00 p.m.: Transfer of the image of Mary Help of Christians to the Parish of St. Dominic de Guzmán in the Vegueta district, following the 4:15 p.m. Mass.
• April 25–26: Extraordinary Adoration at the Parish of St. Dominic (Vegueta).
• April 27–29: Extraordinary Triduum at the Parish of St. Dominic (Vegueta). Each day will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Rosary, and the Eucharist.
• April 30, 6:00 p.m.: Procession of the image of Mary Help of Christians to the Cathedral of the Canary Islands, with the evening Rosary led by the Parish of St. Dominic (Vegueta).
• May 2, 5:00 p.m.: Solemn Pontifical Mass of Coronation. At 7:00 p.m., procession from the Cathedral to the Salesian Institute.
• May 10: Thanksgiving Eucharist for the Coronation of Mary Help of Christians at 1:00 p.m. in the Salesian Parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria, presided over by Auxiliary Bishop Hernández.

Source: Salesianos.info