Spain (August 30, 2009). The Bishop of the Diocese of Barbastro-Monzón, Alfonso Milián, presided over the Eucharist that was celebrated in the Monastery of El Pueyo. He was accompanied by Fr. Luis Ángel de las Heras, in the name of the Provincial Superior of Santiago, who was absent because of the General Chapter, and the Provincial of Italy of the congregation of the “Incarnate Word,” Fernando Vichi. They were also accompanied by a group of Claretian Missionaries of El Pueyo and of other communities. The purpose of the Eucharist was to render homage to the Claretian Missionaries, who by their own decision were leaving the management of the Monastery, after 47 years, and to give a welcome to the congregation of the “Incarnate Word” who, beginning now, will manage the Shrine. The Mayor of Basbastro, Antonio Cosculluela, Mayors of the regions of Somontano and La Hoya, and more than 500 other persons also attended the Mass.

Fr. De las Heras mentioned that yesterday “all the Claretians of the world had their eyes fixed in El Pueyo and said the Congregation was giving a “see you soon to our Lady of El Pueyo, because a Claretian will never say good bye to her”.

The Bishop of Barbastro-Monzón, Alfonso Milián, stressed that it was a very important day, and at the same time he thanked the Claretian Missionaries for the service rendered, and received the new order who has responded to the petition of the diocese of Barbastro-Monzón.

The Mayor of Barbastro, Antonio Cosculluela, pointed out that the absence of the Claretian Missionaries will be felt in El Pueyo.

The Claretian Missionary, Juan Sanz, stated that after 27 years in the Monastery, he felt sad, but he was aware that some day his stay in the Shrine of El Pueyo would come to an end.