Legionaries from Brigada Rey Alfonso XIII arrived in Malaga this morning on the frigate Galicia and paraded to Plaza de Fray Alonso de Santo Tomás, where hundreds greeted them with applause and cheers of 'Viva España! Viva la Legión! Viva el Cristo de la Buena Muerte!'. They took part in transferring the crucifix of Congregación de Mena to its processional throne, a hallmark Holy Thursday event. Authorities and Malaga's bishop led the ceremony.
The Honour Company of Brigada Rey Alfonso XIII, II de La Legión, disembarked early at Malaga port from Almeria aboard the frigate Galicia, commanded by Captain de Navío Juan José Belizón. They marched through the city centre to the rhythm of bugles and drums to Santo Domingo de Guzmán church and Plaza de Fray Alonso de Santo Tomás.
Some attendees camped overnight for prime spots, prompting Mena brothers to stand guard. "This is starting to overwhelm us", said Ramón Gómez Ravassa, a congregant for over seven decades. Around noon, the Cristo de la Buena Muerte standard was handed over from II de La Legión to Tercio Gran Capitán I de La Legión.
Sappers from various tercios shouldered the image as Spain's anthem played. The crowd sang 'El novio de la muerte' as one, followed by applause. Bishop José Antonio Satué, attending Mena for the first time, praised the legionaries and stated: "the Cristo de la Buena Muerte is not just a precious carving, but a face that looks at us, a silence that speaks to us, and a presence that sustains us".
Present were Mayor Francisco de la Torre, Government Subdelegate Francisco Javier Salas, Diputación President Francisco Salado, and Madrid Community President Isabel Díaz Ayuso, along with Andalusian councillors Arturo Bernal, Carolina España, and Rocío Blanco. Satué prayed for peace and unity among Spaniards.
