The Legion faces one of its most important exercises. Thousands of eyes will focus today on 170 legionary knights who participate in the procession of the Christ of the Good Death, the carving of Pedro de Mena that for another year, and has done so since 1928, goes in procession through the streets of Malaga under the protection of this body of the Armed Forces. Almost two hundred men have been doubling shifts for two weeks, preparing for this Holy Thursday, which begins with the disembarkation of the ship Contramaestre Casado at the Levante Dock Berth at 10:00 in the morning and which will end at dawn.
This year the Company of Honors of the Third Duke of Alba II has been chosen to participate in the procession. In front, Captain Sergio Domínguez, who enumerates with enthusiasm what it means to be the Head of the Company of Honors. “First, it means that my command trusts me; secondly, it is an honor because I am religious; and finally, being able to make the people who come to see us happy is also good”, he explains, aware that the Legion becomes the protagonist on that day in Malaga.
The Legion was born as a body of foreigners, they don't look at anyone
Captain Domínguez is the one who has organized the logistics to move all his men from Ceuta, because the Tercio Duque de Alba II performs his duties in the autonomous city. His main contact person this year has been Antonio de la Morena, older brother of the Brotherhood of the Christ of the Good Death.. “We have a relationship with the Legion for almost a hundred years, since 1928, it is not only limited to Holy Thursday and Holy Week events, we have permanent contact,” says De la Morena, the visible head of a brotherhood with more than 3,300 brothers.. Thus, the brotherhood is invited to all legionary events, such as the commemoration of the battle of Edchera.
all volunteers
Among those who participate in the procession, all volunteers, “there are many Muslim volunteers”, who respect the Christian faith and want to be present in such a Spanish tradition. “The Legion was born as a body for foreigners, where no one's past is looked at, but their desire and their future, and in Ceuta we live together with the three religions and you don't have to explain anything to them because they already understand the tradition,” says the captain.. «The Legion is moved by faith, all the peace missions to which they travel are accompanied by a replica of the Christ of the Good Death and I know that many Muslims have addressed the Christ as their Holy Protector. On some occasion I have been told: “My God is Allah, but the Christ of the Good Death is my protector”. It is difficult to understand, but in my life as a congregant I have not met a legionary of the Muslim religion who has refused to be awarded the Christ of the Good Death medal, “says the older brother.
A replica of the Holy Protector accompanies all missions
The relationship between the brotherhood and the Legion intensifies at Easter, because the acts are not only limited to the procession. Since last Saturday, twelve squads of Legion spenders have taken turns guarding the honor around Christ, whose carving rests in the Santo Domingo chapel.. “It is a call to all the devotees of the Christ of the Good Death to go through the chapel of the congregation, because it is one of the most anticipated acts by all the people of Malaga,” explains the older brother.. Corporal Fernando Sánchez Soto is in charge of one of those squads and explains that to prepare “I am doing exhibitions with the spenders, at a slow pace, at an ordinary pace” for several days.. He, along with 170 other companions, will participate in the procession, which is almost the end of an intense day. Always accompanied by the brothers of the brotherhood. «As the Legion's motto states, “together we form a flag” and both the legionnaires who wear uniforms and the confreres, who do not wear it but feel it, are always in a close relationship».
Last night, the legionnaires embarked on the ship to spend the whole night until 10 am this Thursday, when they will disembark at the port. “Once it occurs, I am not worried about anything else because we have it very rehearsed,” says the captain with confidence.. One of the most exciting moments will be when the Christ leaves the church, carried by a dozen legionaries: “We choose those who have a good presence, who are strong and have good behavior”. They will sing El novio de la muerte, the Legion’s hymn. “At that moment you forget everything, it’s very difficult to explain what it feels like.”