For generations, the faithful in Seville, Spain, have looked into the sorrowful eyes of the Virgin of Hope Macarena—an image that has brought comfort, tears, and deep devotion. But recent restoration work on the statue has provoked an outcry among her devotees, many of whom now say they no longer recognize the face they’ve venerated their whole lives.
The statue, housed at the Basilica of Our Lady of Hope Macarena, was temporarily removed from public veneration for five days in June 2024 to undergo conservation work. When it was returned to the faithful on June 21, what should have been a moment of reverent return quickly became a moment of confusion and even grief.
According to CNA, the restoration involved adding false eyelashes and modifying the expression of the Virgin’s face—resulting in an outpouring of dismay. “That is not my Virgin, it’s not the image we have venerated for generations,” many faithful cried out as they gathered around the basilica. Others took to social media to share their heartbreak, one post lamenting, “The Virgin remains sad; she seems tired, her eyes speak for themselves… Her children and Seville are demanding an explanation. It will come.”
Recognizing the magnitude of the backlash, the Brotherhood of the Macarena issued an apology on June 24. In their official statement, they expressed regret for “any moral and devotional damage that may have been caused by the decisions taken following the conservation and maintenance work carried out.” The work was performed by Francisco Arquillo Torres, who has been entrusted with the statue’s care since 1978. However, the brotherhood noted that “the eyelashes were applied moments before dressing her,” and that “it’s possible that they shifted, closing part of her eyes because the adhesive was not completely dry.”
The reaction has not been merely digital or symbolic. On June 23, hundreds of faithful gathered in protest outside the basilica, demanding accountability. Two members of the governing board of the Brotherhood of the Macarena resigned amid the controversy. The incident even prompted a response from the Archbishop of Seville, José Ángel Saiz Meneses, who posted on X: “To err is human, to forgive is divine, to rectify is wise.” He urged unity and charity, reminding the faithful that “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.”
In an effort to restore the original expression of the Virgin and rebuild trust with the faithful, the brotherhood has now enlisted additional “renowned” specialists to reevaluate the statue’s appearance. The Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage has also been approved to supervise the technical aspects of the revision. Once the experts complete their evaluation, the Brotherhood plans to convene an extraordinary general council to decide what measures to take.
The episode serves as a potent reminder of the emotional and spiritual weight religious images carry in Catholic life—not simply as art, but as deeply personal symbols of faith. As one social media post described the change, “A very noticeable change for the worse in the characteristic expression of Our Lady of Hope… it falls far short of what one would expect.”
In Seville, devotion to the Macarena is not merely tradition—it is identity, memory, and the heart of Holy Week. And for many, restoring her gaze is about more than aesthetics; it’s about recovering the face of a Mother they’ve always known.
