Álora

Catalina Vergara, first woman to preside over the Cofradía del Huerto de Álora

The Cofradía de Jesús Orando en el Huerto, María Santísima de la Paz y Santo Viacrucis del Monte Calvario de Álora now has a new Junta de Gobierno, presided over by Catalina Vergara Ruiz, the first woman to hold the position of Hermana Mayor since the brotherhood was founded in 1952.

FJCG · Published on October 19, 2026 at 15:13

Un grupo de personas de pie tras unos bancos de madera en el interior de una iglesia con arcos de piedra y techo de madera. — Photo: Ayuntamiento de Álora

The new Board of Governors of the Cofradía de Jesús Orando en el Huerto, María Santísima de la Paz y Santo Viacrucis del Monte Calvario de Álora took office on Saturday, October 17, at an event held in the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación. Catalina Vergara Ruiz will lead it as Hermana Mayor, alongside a team of brothers and sisters who take on this stage with the aim of continuing the religious and confraternity activities of the corporation.

A board with new faces

The Board of Governors is completed by Juan Rojano Fernández as Teniente Hermano Mayor; Juan Francisco Cruzado Bravo as Secretary; Alma Navarro Vergara as Vice-Secretary; Lina Casermeiro García as Treasurer; Tomás Salas Fernández as Fiscal; Rosa María Espinosa Aguilar as Vice-Fiscal; Francisco Javier Pérez Bernal as Albacea General; Ismael Ramos Mancera as Albacea de Procesión; Oscar Martínez Marín as Vocal de Albacería; Silvia Martínez Marín as Vocal de Juventud; Francisco Bravo Postigo as Mayordomo de trono; Paula Espinosa Vergara as Vocal de Comunicación; Carmen Morales Padilla as Vocal de Eventos; and Dolores Vergara Postigo and Socorro Martín Domínguez as Camareras. According to the Ayuntamiento de Álora, the cofradía incorporates several young brothers, which favors the participation of new generations. The new Hermana Mayor is the first woman to hold that position since the founding of the brotherhood, in 1952. Her family maintains a close link with the corporation: her father, Antonio Vergara, was Teniente Hermano Mayor for many years.

Claustral procession due to rain

The procession planned for after the event was suspended due to the weather conditions. Instead, a claustral procession was held inside the temple, in which brothers, sisters and faithful were able to accompany the image of María Santísima de la Paz. The cofradía plans to hold events to mark its 75th founding anniversary, which falls in 2027. It also has the particularity that the throne of María Santísima de la Paz is carried exclusively by women. Both the image of the Virgin and that of Jesús Orando en el Huerto are the work of the Sevillian sculptor Luis Álvarez Duarte.

An event already held

The taking of office took place on Saturday, October 17, at the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación de Álora. No pending public appointment is announced in the information disseminated.