The Festivities of May 3rd and September 14th

Every May 3rd, the residents of Abanilla set out from the Church of San José and make their way to the Hermitage of the Holy Cross in Mahoya. There, the Holy Cross is placed under a mechanical pomegranate that, when opened, releases white doves, and holy water is sprinkled onto the cross to bless it. The townspeople then also bless themselves with the water.
They celebrate the blessing with a traditional meal consisting of Spanish omelet, rabbit with tomato, hard-boiled eggs, and “monas” (sweet pastries) with chocolate.
After the meal, the Holy Cross returns to Abanilla in a procession, completing the local route known as the “May 3rd Path”.
On September 14th, Abanilla holds a second pilgrimage in honor of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. On this occasion, the patron saint is once again taken in procession to Mahoya, where the locals celebrate their patron saint festivities.
Following tradition, the Holy Cross remains in Mahoya for several days before returning to the Church of San José, thus concluding the festival cycle.