February 2nd is the feast day of Our Lady of Candelaria. The patroness of the Canary Islands is also celebrated in San Antonio every year. “The Black Madonna” as she is sometimes referred, was brought here with the Canary Islands settlers that arrived in 1731.
One of the many memorable experiences while visiting the Canary Islands was our visit to Candelaria. This beautiful basilica, located in the town of the same name, sits on the Tenerife coastline. Outside of the basilica are statues honoring the ancient Guanche kings.
In 2015, several members of the Canary Islands Descendants Association, thanks to a gift from the Canary Islands, dressed Our Lady of Candelaria statue in San Fernando Cathedral in new vestments.
