Our History

BRIEF HISTORICAL OVERVIEW 

It all began a few years after Spain’s accession to the European Union. A small group of young Spaniards who had come to Brussels with their families to work in the European institutions and at NATO would gather around the weekly Eucharist at the European Catholic Centre, under the guidance of the Jesuit Fathers.

Their great enthusiasm for the European project was nurtured by a strong Catholic faith that sought sources of formation for the youngest members of their families and inspired them to practice and share the deeply rooted traditions of southern Spain. Thus, at the end of 1993, they gathered at the European Catholic Centre to celebrate Christmas Mass in Brussels in the style of the traditional rociero sung Masses, as a prelude to the long-awaited reunion with their families during their Christmas holidays in Spain. Those were times when distances felt far greater than they do today, and the reunion with loved ones was eagerly anticipated.

It was the following year when this budding enthusiasm took shape in the form of a choir that would sing sevillanas and other rociero and Andalusian songs during Holy Mass. Gradually, drawn by the characteristic joy that accompanies all that bears Marian tones, people and families from other parts of Spain, as well as from Belgium, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland, and even from countries on other continents such as Colombia, Argentina, and Venezuela, began to join these gatherings and celebrations. For Her projects, like those of Her Son, always begin as a small seed that, step by step, blossoms into a great tree.

These activities fostered an atmosphere of joy and fellowship within this growing group, expressed through gatherings in family homes, shared celebrations, prayer — in short, true brotherhood centered around one figure: the Blessed Virgin Mary. The group matured and grew stronger. Thus, on Pentecost in 1995, coinciding with the Romería, a Misa Rociera was celebrated for the first time in Brussels, at the European Catholic Centre.

Although the creation of this Hermandad was the result of the work of more than a hundred men and women deeply devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is only fair to emphasize that the vision, innovation, and dynamism of those early years were led by a much-loved brother, Mr. Francisco Manuel de las Heras, now deceased, supported by his wife, Mary Loly Ojeda, and their daughters, together with their inseparable neighbours Ana Celdrán and Arturo Sanabria, who knew how to channel the enthusiasm and generosity of many who wished to share in that joy.

As a corollary to that first Misa Rociera on Pentecost, the first pilgrimage of thanksgiving to the Hermitage of El Rocío was organized by about forty members of the group, who, together with their families, came before the Virgin in August 1995, coinciding with the Rocío Chico — the feast commemorating the solemn vow made by the people of Almonte to their Patroness. The enthusiasm was immense, and somewhat surprising for those who had never before experienced or felt any special affinity for this Marian devotion under the title of Our Lady of El Rocío. For many, it became a kind of “Marian reconversion.” This pilgrimage marked the first experience of what would later become the path of a European community reaffirming its Marian origins.

 The response was unanimous, and all members of the group embraced this initial idea. Within just a few months, the brothers and sisters mobilized, the first Governing Board was appointed — presided over by the much-loved Sister María Luisa de la Vega Benjumea — and the Constituent Assembly of the Brotherhood was held.

And after many sung Masses and much demonstrated effort, on December 8, 1996, the Brotherhood of Our Lady of El Rocío of Brussels was canonically erected as an association of Catholic faithful, attached to the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels, through the approval of His Eminence Cardinal Godfried Danneels, Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels and Primate of Belgium, as well as of the Brotherhood’s Statutes dated October 5, 1996. All this was carried out in faithful compliance with canons 298–320 of the Codicis Iuris Canonici. It was at that moment that the “pilgrimage” of this institution officially began, seeking recognition as an affiliated Brotherhood (Hermandad Filial) of the Pontifical, Royal and Illustrious…

The European Catholic Centre and the Jesuit Chaplain, Fr. Bernard Lestienne, S.J., as well as the first Head of Mission of the Apostolic Nunciature of His Holiness John Paul II to the European Union, Monsignor Alain Paul Lebeaupin, together with the dioceses of Brussels and Namur, provided special support for the early beginnings of the young Brotherhood.

 Monsignor Lebeaupin accepted the Honorary Chaplaincy of the Brotherhood in a letter dated October 7, 1997. With this appointment, the Brotherhood of Our Lady of El Rocío of Brussels sought to demonstrate its particular commitment to working within the programs of European pastoral care.

Queen Fabiola gladly accepted the appointment as Honorary Hermana Mayor of the young Brotherhood on September 11, 1997, a distinction for which, to paraphrase her acceptance letter, she felt “deeply moved” and “gratefully appreciative from the bottom of her heart.”

 Earlier, on January 8, 1997, the Brotherhood of Our Lady of El Rocío of Brussels received the Apostolic Blessing from His Holiness John Paul II, a Pope who declared himself above all a devotee of Mary, and particularly devoted to Our Lady of El Rocío.

 During those years of intense activity, the Brotherhood was encouraged and supported by its godmother, the Brotherhood of Madrid, with whom the Brussels brothers and sisters made pilgrimages with great devotion to the Hermitage of El Rocío at Pentecost in 1997, 1998, and 1999. The constant guidance and support of this affiliated Brotherhood was vital for the young Brussels Brotherhood, which lacked experience and knowledge of this Marian movement. The Hermandad Matriz and many other affiliated Brotherhoods also continuously supported its consolidation. Thus, long-standing rociero brothers came to Brussels as speakers or heralds, such as the sermon written by Mr. Luís Baras Japón, proclaimed by Mr. Manuel Marvizón Carvallo and accompanied in song by Mr. Rafael González Serna, to ignite the spirit of this small, emerging community. At the end of 1999, several brothers from the Matriz and the much-loved Chaplain of El Rocío, Mr. Diego Capado Quintana, visited the Brotherhood for several days, much to the delight of all the Brussels members.

 “The Brotherhood of Our Lady of El Rocío of Brussels, by virtue of its strategic location in the heart of old Europe and today’s capital of the European Union, where people and nations of diverse cultures and beliefs converge, can make a privileged contribution to the necessary ecumenical unity of all peoples, raising the Banner of Mary, under her title of El Rocío, as the Star of the New Evangelization.”

Between June 7 and 12, 2000, the Brotherhood experienced its most sublime moment: its Presentation as an affiliated (Filial) Brotherhood, to “be with Her on Pentecost Monday.” The Brotherhood was accompanied by Monsignor Faustino Sainz Muñoz, Nuncio of His Holiness John Paul II to the European Union and Honorary Chaplain of the Brotherhood, and by Mr. Bernard Lestienne, its Perpetual Chaplain.

Through the efforts of all, the Simpecado, the Brotherhood’s banner, was designed and created. It is an austere work of art crafted on magenta-blue velvet — the color of the European flag — in the Sevillian workshops of Orfebrería Villarreal. The Virgin, in silver gilt, is depicted surrounded by a Rosary, which in turn is encircled by thirteen stars: twelve five-pointed stars representing the EU flag, and one four-pointed star representing the North Star and NATO. The medal of the members is likewise simple, made of silver with a design echoing that of the Simpecado. The Virgin, with her attributes as Queen, is surrounded by a rosary arranged in the form of a pectoral cross, with a border featuring one four-pointed star and twelve five-pointed stars. It is surmounted by an arch, symbolizing the arcades of the Brussels Fiftieth Anniversary.

When it seemed that the greatest ambition had been achieved, Francisco Manuel proposed — and it was approved — to embark on a new major undertaking: the European Camino of El Rocío. This is a route of approximately 3,000 kilometers connecting Brussels with El Rocío, passing through important Marian sanctuaries in Belgium, France, and Spain. It begins at the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Brussels and passes through nine Marian sanctuaries: Beauraing, Chartres, Rocamadour, Lourdes, Zaragoza, Madrid, Andújar, Seville, and El Rocío.

With the approval of the Hermandad Matriz and the sponsorship of a large number of affiliated Brotherhoods, Francisco Manuel, Alain Maurech-Siman, María Luisa de la Vega, and many others gradually established connections with each of these major Marian sanctuaries, where countless people have offered devotion and homage to Our Lady. It was a colossal task for a young Brotherhood, with limited resources and little recognition.

On May 9, 2000 — Europe Day, in the Jubilee Year — the European Camino of El Rocío was officially inaugurated at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Beauraing, in the Belgian province of Namur, with its first stage from Brussels to Beauraing. This exciting project received the unconditional support of the Hermandad Matriz and of the European Union, represented at the time by the President of the European Commission, His Excellency Mr. Romano Prodi, who personally accepted the offer of the Honorary Presidency. Through this initiative promoted by the Brotherhood of Our Lady of El Rocío of Brussels, the Rociero Marian Movement sought to take on the commitment of bearing witness to the Gospel, following the message of the Holy Father, who calls all Christians to a new universal evangelization. This route begins in Brussels and passes through the most beautiful and significant Marian sanctuaries in Belgium, France, and Spain, ending in the Almonte village at the feet of the Mother and Lady among mastic and broom shrubs.

It was three intense years of pilgrimage: hundreds of phone calls and emails, weekends of planes, roads, and rosaries, all for love of Her, culminating in El Rocío on April 26, 2003. More than twenty Brotherhoods participated massively across the nine stages. In Madrid, over 3,000 people attended the ceremonies. In most stages, the Bishop of the Sanctuary celebrated Holy Mass; in Madrid, it was presided over by the Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid, Mr. Antonio Rouco Varela, and in Seville, by Monsignor Carlos Amigo. In El Rocío, the bishops of Chartres, Almería, and Huelva, together with the rectors of the Sanctuaries of Lourdes and Beauraing and other parish priests, concelebrated the Holy Mass. It was a major mobilization of the entire Church in honor of Our Mother.

In 2007, a group of pilgrims from Huelva undertook this route on foot over more than three months, passing through over 400 towns, initiating a historic experience in this Marian devotion. Upon reaching Madrid, they diverted toward Guadalupe and Huelva, thus creating a variant of the original European Camino of El Rocío. Since 2009, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of La Cinta in Huelva has also become a stage of the European Camino of El Rocío.

The primary objective of the Brotherhood is to promote, facilitate, and lead the pilgrimage of members and supporters to El Rocío, especially during the Feast of Pentecost. Due to the distance between Brussels and El Rocío, the Brotherhood usually travels to the village by conventional means of transport and celebrates an open-air Mass in the countryside, on the Camino de los Llanos, an area adjacent to the village of El Rocío, to make the official entrance with the Simpecado carried by hand by the brothers. For the Brotherhood, the pilgrimage to El Rocío is an outpouring of devotion and love for Our Lady, which more than compensates for the inconveniences of the journey. All pilgrims participate voluntarily in the Brotherhood’s devotional acts (Holy Mass and Holy Rosary) as well as in public ceremonies: the presentation before the Blessed Virgin of El Rocío, the Pentecost Mass, the Rosario de la Aurora, and the procession of the Virgin through the village visiting her Brotherhoods at the dawn of Pentecost.

For the brothers coming from Brussels, the Romería del Rocío is also a moment of friendship and fraternity with brothers who no longer reside in Brussels, making the fellowship particularly special for all.

Another very special moment of the year is the Extraordinary Pilgrimage, the annual visit that each Brotherhood makes to the Blessed Virgin of El Rocío. For the Brussels Brotherhood, meeting their heavenly Mother each December is almost a family event, as the pilgrimage takes place just a few days after the birth of Her Divine Son. This intimate encounter between a Mother and her distant children renews and strengthens them, giving encouragement and energy to continue their daily path with Her as their guiding star. It is also a moment of fellowship and sharing among brothers and friends who live apart during the year.

This devotional dimension of the Brotherhood’s purpose is perfectly complemented by the practice of charity. The aim is for the resources generated by this small Brotherhood to be devoted almost entirely to charitable works, particularly in Brussels, within a Christian environment. From the outset, it has therefore been emphasized that the costs of pilgrimages, devotional activities, and instruments of worship be borne by the members themselves, leaving the rest of the ordinary (membership fees) and extraordinary income (proceeds from events and donations) at the disposal of the charity fund managed by the Brotherhood.

Since its origins, the Brussels Brotherhood has experienced significant mobility among its members due to their work both in European institutions and in private occupations. A substantial number of the founding members have returned to Spain or moved to other countries. This reality requires the Brotherhood to make a particular effort to attract new members and supporters across Europe, as well as to educate them in the rociero devotion. This underscores the importance of support from other, more experienced affiliated Brotherhoods.

The vision of the founders of the Brotherhood, as well as of the new generations, has been to open the Brotherhood to all people of good will, welcoming them as they are, without particular requirements, and with a European spirit of freedom and commitment — reminiscent of the Home of Nazareth, where Mary and Joseph raised the Son of God. Moreover, this atmosphere of friendship and fellowship is enriched by the colorful Andalusian costumes, the charm of rociero songs and music, and the elegance of Andalusian dance, all within an environment of deep Marian devotion. The orthodoxy of the Faith is thus combined with the beauty and gentleness of Our Mother, embracing her more distant children who are no less loved.

To this end, the Brotherhood organizes the monthly Sabatinas at the European Catholic Centre, which include the recitation of the Holy Rosary, the celebration of Holy Mass, and a Brotherhood dinner prepared by the members, followed by rociero songs and dances. It is a unique moment of devotion, fraternity, and joy.

The Brotherhood is governed by the Board of Directors, composed of approximately ten members, elected every two years by the General Assembly of Brothers. The current Hermana Mayor is Mrs. Catalina de Miguel.

The Brotherhood continues to work in an increasingly secular and international environment. Its primary activities fall into three areas: first, it carries out charitable works, particularly in Brussels, where many people are in need, especially among immigrants, and in support of parishes and religious orders dedicated to such service. Second, it continues the organization of Sabatinas and the Brotherhood Choir, which are pillars of its life, while also launching projects to engage children and youth in its activities (Sevillanas classes, children’s rociero choir, cultural lectures, etc.). Third, it promotes the final logistical configuration of the European Camino of El Rocío by stages.

In conclusion, the Brotherhood of Our Lady of El Rocío of Brussels approaches its new initiatives with great enthusiasm, aiming to increase devotion to the Mother of God throughout Europe. This has been the raison d’être of a Brotherhood founded in the deep conviction that, at the dawn of this new Europe, it should not be thought of merely as an exclusive club of developed countries abandoning the less fortunate. The conviction is that the Europe we are building together must find its Christian identity, grounded in deep roots of faith and the values of Christian humanism. It is a modest yet firm aspiration to give Europe a soul — a soul that knows how to sing, in Sevillanas, the Marian glories of old Andalusia.