The mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, accompanied by the councilman of Centro, Carlos Segura, has visited, as is tradition every first Friday of March, the Basilica of Jesus of Medinaceli to venerate the image of Christ «on behalf of all the people of Madrid» and participate in the crowded besapiés.
Almeida has asked the Lord of Madrid that «every day we become better as a society, never abandon those who are going through the worst, and achieve employment for those who are unemployed.» The mayor has had a special mention for «those who are sick and in difficult situations» and has recalled that «Madrid is an enormously supportive and welcoming city.»
The Basilica of Jesus of Medinaceli is famous for housing the image of the Christ of Medinaceli, a Nazarene Christ from the first half of the 17th century greatly revered among the people of Madrid. It is also characteristic of the shrine located above the main altar retablo where this image is located.
The first Friday of March each year, it opens its doors all day for the celebration of the traditional besapiés that takes place until the last person in line passes by the feet of Christ. Tradition says that the faithful must make three wishes, of which one will be granted. /
