With a massive procession and Mass Te Deum chaired by the Apostolic Nuncio in Colombia, the city of Santa Marta yesterday celebrated its 500 years of Foundation.
The solemn mass for the #500 years From our Santa Marta, held in the Basilica Cathedral by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, it was a moment of deep spirituality for all of us who love this land.
I received, on behalf of all samarios, a note from … pic.twitter.com/HobLVJ9Nib
– Carlos Pinedo Cuello (@carlospinedoc) July 29, 2025
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Yesterday, July 29, five centuries were completed since the Spanish Rodrigo Bastidas founded the first city on the Caribbean Coast of what is today Colombia. To commemorate this anniversary, the Diocese of Santa Marta and the civil authorities carried out a series of events that culminated with a procession through the streets of the city.
Two Eucharists were previously held. The first was the Te Deum Mass, chaired in the Cathedral by the Apostolic Nuncio, Mons. Paolo Rudelli, in the company of the Bishop of Santa Marta, Mons. José Bacci Trespalacios, as well as prelates from other parts of the country and the local clergy. Among the civil authorities was the mayor of Santa Marta, Carlos Pinedo Cuello.
In the afternoon a second Eucharist was carried out on the outskirts of the temple, at the end of which the procession began with the image of Santa Marta, patron saint of the city.
During the Mass Te Deum, Mons. Rudelli recalled the words that Pope Leo XIV addressed to the people of Santa Marta, in which he thanked God for the gifts received in these five centuries, mainly “faith in Jesus Christ” and “the common commitment to always build a more just and fraternal society.”
He also stressed that during that time the city grew along with the devotion to Santa Marta, thanks to who “knew how to survive looting, fires, face the many challenges of history and be reborn increasingly strong and more beautiful.”
“The history of this city would not be understood without the presence of its saint, which has been not only a protector, but also a family presence, almost a friend,” he said.
Therefore, Mons. Rudelli said that “this anniversary has to be, before all, the occasion to project us in the future. The occasion for you to celebrate what you are, what you want to be in the coming years. The occasion to celebrate your vocation as a city, as a church.”
To do this, he invited the population and authorities present to follow the example of the life of Santa Marta, whom the gospels show as “a hospital woman, a working woman and a woman of faith.”
In that sense, he recalled the confession of Faith of San Marta – before attending the resurrection of his brother Lázaro – when he told Jesus: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who had to come to the world.”
These words tell us “that she had realized that, by welcoming Jesus at home, she welcomed God himself, the God who not only offered her closeness, her help, her friendship, but allowed her to share his own life, eternal life. Dear brothers, welcome Jesus in our house, in our city, life changes.”
The procession through the historic center of the city began at approximately 17 hours and culminated when the sun had already fallen. The tour was chaired by Mons. Bacci, who was accompanied by bishops and priests, in the midst of thousands of faithful who thanked the Lord for this new anniversary.
Eduardo Berdejo
Professional in Social Communication of the National University of San Marcos in Peru, I have more than 20 years of experience in Catholic digital journalism. As part of ACI Press, I have been sent to cover the trips of Pope Francis to Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and Peru, in addition to the Synod of Sinodality in the Vatican in 2023.