Madrid, Spain, Jun 25, 2025 /
10:54 am
The recent changes made to the expression on the face of the iconic image of Our Lady of Hope of Macarena, a popular Spanish devotion, has sparked a wave of reactions among those who consider her an essential part of their faith.
The main focus of discontent has centered on the Virgin’s expression, as the addition of false eyelashes and other changes during recent conservation work visibly altered her expression, causing a negative reaction from numerous devotees who said they no longer recognized “their Virgin.”
“That is not my Virgin, it’s not the image we have venerated for generations,” is how many of the faithful have expressed their bewilderment in recent days at Our Lady of Hope of Macarena Basilica in Seville Spain, where the image known as the “Virgin of Macarena” is kept.
The statue was removed from public veneration for five days to undergo the conservation work and was returned to public view on June 21. The first change to the eyes was followed by another touch-up that same afternoon, and a third that evening, when the eyelashes were reduced, the eyebrows were retouched, and the complexion was darkened.
These modifications to one of the most emblematic images of Holy Week in Seville has led to a torrent of reactions, many of them expressing criticism and surprise — some with tears — flooding social media, and there have even been protests at the basilica.
“The Virgin remains sad; she seems tired, her eyes speak for themselves,” said one post on X. Something has happened, and her expression has changed. Sad to see what has happened. Her children and Seville are demanding an explanation. It will come.”
Another post compared photos of the image from 2016, 2022, and on June 23:
Confusion and outrage among devotees
The restoration of the image has sparked a heated controversy among the Andalusian faithful and devotees.
“A very noticeable change for the worse in the characteristic expression of Our Lady of Hope,” another social media post stated. “I hope I’m mistaken, but knowing the repercussions of making changes to the image of the Macarena, it falls far short of what one would expect.”
Antes // Después
Cambio muy notable para mal en la expresión tan característica de la Virgen de la Esperanza.
Espero estar equivocándome, pero sabiendo la repercusión que tiene una intervención a la imagen de la Macarena, queda muy por debajo del nivel que cabría esperar. pic.twitter.com/OrOpSrkidz— FerNavarro_ (@fernavarro_1) June 21, 2025
Another poster compared the Virgin of Hope Macarena of Seville image from one day to the next, asking: “Did the confraternity need this?”
Hundreds of faithful gathered the afternoon of June 23 around the basilica, which gives its name to the Macarena neighborhood, to protest the changes made to the statue.
The archbishop of Seville, José Ángel Saiz Meneses, spoke out regarding the incident. Early on the morning of June 24, he stated on X that “to err is human, to forgive is divine, to rectify is wise.”
“Our Lady of Hope Macarena wants us to be united, as brothers and sisters, as her children, looking to the future, walking in truth and goodness,” the prelate said.
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Apology for ‘moral and devotional damage’
The controversy has led two top officials of the governing board of the Brotherhood of the Macarena to resign. In Spain, brotherhoods, also known as confraternities, are organizations that care for as well as carry in procession sacred images during Holy Week.
Following an emergency meeting, the Brotherhood of the Macarena issued an official statement on June 24 in which it apologized to “all members of the brotherhood and devotees for any moral and devotional damage that may have been caused by the decisions taken following the conservation and maintenance work carried out” on the Virgin of Macarena.
The organization noted that the conservation work was entrusted to Francisco Arquillo Torres, who has been doing this work since 1978. They also explained that the eyelashes were applied “moments before dressing her,” so “it’s possible that they shifted, closing part of her eyes because the adhesive was not completely dry.”
Given the confusion of the devotees and “the persistence of this unwanted aesthetic effect,” the statement said that Arquillo himself came to the basilica on June 21 with other experts to “analyze a possible solution,” making changes again that same afternoon and later that evening.
In order to restore the aesthetic appearance of the Virgin of Hope, the brotherhood has announced its decision to consult with other “renowned” specialists to analyze the situation and “act accordingly.”
The governing board has also approved the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage to carry out the technical supervision of the revision.
Once the entire process is completed, an extraordinary general council will be convened to determine any measures to be adopted based on the results.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
Almudena Martínez-Bordiú is Rome correspondent for ACI Prensa and EWTN.
