The news of the day in Benissa has been the appointment of the Church of the Puríssima Xiqueta and San Pedro Apóstol as a minor Basilica. On April 28, Pope Francis accepted the appointment after a long process. The Liturgy Delegate of the Archbishopric in Valencia, Don Edgar Esteve, has come to the town to make the announcement in person.
The mayor of Benissa, Arturo Poquet, has confessed that it has been a two-year process "conducted discreetly" until today. In this way, the Puríssima Xiqueta becomes the seventh minor Basilica of the diocese in the territory.
There are 1.500 minor basilicas in the world, 125 in Spain and only four with the title of major. In the Community, most of them are in the province of Valencia, but now the Cathedral of the Navy will also be part of them. According to the delegate of the Archbishopric, "this is a sign of honor and distinction granted by the Holy See both for the architecture and for the devotion of the faithful in each place."
In addition, Don Edgar has affirmed that in order to maintain the prestigious title, the new Basilica "must shine in a special way, just like housing the insignia of the Supreme Pontiff on the façade". In addition, as privileges, from Benissa the plenary indulgence may be granted on the day of San Pedro and San Pablo, the day of the Puríssima Xiqueta, San Francisco de Asís and on a day chosen by the parish itself. And, also, to the pilgrims and pilgrims who arrive at the new Basilica.
But, for all this, the parish is already preparing a celebration to make a public and official appointment of the new title granted to the Puríssima Xiqueta de Benissa.
