Ecuador: The Lord of the Waters takes to the streets in Cuenca and breaks the drought with rain

On November 19, a phenomenon that many considered a miracle surprised the city of Cuenca, in southern Ecuador. When the image of the Lord of the Waters of Girón arrived in the city, an image to which the intercession to bring rain is attributed, an unexpected rain began to fall on one of the sectors most affected by the drought.

“Yesterday, in Cuenca, when the image entered the city on a pilgrimage, it began to rain in one of the sectors, called Soldados, where there was a fire. With the rain, the fire was completely extinguished. Although there are other outbreaks that still persist, at least in that area the fires were controlled just when the Lord of Girón arrived,” Mario Calle, director of Radio Católica Cuenca, described to ACI Prensa.

The event occurred in the midst of a water crisis that is plaguing the provinces of Azuay, Cañar and Loja, where the rivers are dry and the Paute hydroelectric plant, vital for the country, has ceased its energy production. The drought has generated not only water and electricity rationing, but also forest fires in the Cajas National Park, which are difficult to control.

“It is a drought like we have not seen in many years. We have four rivers, and all four are completely dry. This had not happened in a long time,” said Calle.

“People have also not been able to cultivate their land because there is no water; Therefore, the land is dry. Given this situation, there have been many requests, both from authorities and from the people in general, for something to be done from the Church,” he added.

The massive pilgrimage of the Lord of the Waters of Girón

Given this scenario, the Archbishop of Cuenca, Mons. Marcos Pérez, agreed to accept the request and asked Father Julio Castillo, parish priest of the Girón canton, to bring the sacred image, which was very well received by the community.

This image, with 450 years of history, is traditionally known for making it rain during times of drought. According to Calle, the last precedent was 12 years ago, but it is known that a century ago, in a similar drought, the rain came the same day the image was moved to Cuenca.

The pilgrimage began with a sending Mass at 7:00 in the morning. The image, accompanied by a caravan of 150 vehicles, traveled 36 kilometers from Girón to Cuenca. Upon arrival, the reception was massive, with thousands of people in the streets, with flower petals, perfume, incense and fireworks.

“More than 10 thousand people arrived in the city of Cuenca and the sending Eucharist was celebrated in a completely full church. Then, the image was transported in vehicles,” Calle commented.

Upon reaching the Soldiers’ sector, where there was a fire, an unexpected rain began to fall, suffocating the flames. “With the rain, the fire went out completely,” said Calle, who was a witness.

Ecuadorian priest Juan Carlos Vásconez explained to ACI Prensa that, although for several weeks priests in Ecuador have been “performing prayers for rain during Mass, asking for different needs,” this manifestation of popular faith has been especially significant, since who has managed to ensure that the people “receive the blessings of heaven, which makes it a unique and very special act.”

The day culminated with a Mass in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, presided over by Monsignor Marcos Pérez, Archbishop of Cuenca, who was accompanied by more than 7,000 faithful inside and outside the temple.