“There is no greater joy than feeling like a child of God, and I try to get this message across in this way,” says Planas, who exudes joy and optimism
It has become an integral part of preparing for Christmas. José Planas, the pastor of the Miraflores de los Ángeles district in Malaga, has once again inspired the parishioners with his flamenco dance to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
It was on December 12th, Gaudete Sunday, a day on which the church loosens the strict and penitent character of Advent, when Planas again demonstrated his art and danced at the end of mass in the parish church, accompanied by a music group.
Planas says he perceives flamenco as something natural (his mother’s grandfather was a gypsy) and that he has proven this on many occasions. That year he did not hesitate to take off his shoes and dance with the members of the music group and some parishioners while wearing a polka dot stole.
Sister lost to cancer
“There is no greater joy than feeling like a child of God, and I try to get this message across in this way,” says Planas, who exudes joy and optimism, something very necessary in these times.
“Despite everything, there is always cause for hope,” emphasizes the pastor, who this year lost a 58-year-old sister to cancer. “Despite all the sad circumstances that surround us, we must be happy. I am in love with Christ and I convey joy, ”he emphasizes.
Hit the headlines
José Planas first made headlines locally and nationally in the summer of 2014 when a video of one of his flamenco dances went viral at the end of a mass in Campanillas, where he was previously a pastor.
The story of Planas is not that of a normal priest. At the age of 26, he dropped everything and sold two supermarkets that he ran to give the money to the poor and dedicate his life to the Church. He was ordained a priest only at the age of 42 after completing only one course in the theological college.