Fray Andresito’s House
Fray Andresito’s House: A Sanctuary of Devotion in La Ampuyenta
La Casa de Fray Andresito, located in the picturesque village of La Ampuyenta, municipality of Puerto del Rosario, is a modest sanctuary dedicated to the Franciscan friar Andrés Filomeno García Acosta, affectionately known as Fray Andresito. Born on January 10, 1800 in this humble home, Andrés García Acosta lived his childhood and youth in La Ampuyenta before emigrating to America in 1833.
History of Fray Andresito
After his arrival in America, Friar Andresito initially settled in Uruguay and later in Chile, where he joined the Franciscan Order. He dedicated his life to the apostolate, carrying out social and charitable work that earned him great popularity among different social sectors of Santiago, a recognition that has extended to the present day.
The Sanctuary
The house where Fray Andresito was born has been transformed into a small and simple shrine in his honor. Inside, visitors can find panels narrating the friar’s biography, images reflecting his life and work, and austere furnishings that invite reflection and recollection. This space has become a place of pilgrimage for devotees and visitors who wish to learn more about the life of this illustrious majorero.
Celebrations in Honor of Fray Andresito
Every year, around January 14, the day of his death, La Ampuyenta celebrates festivities in honor of Fray Andresito. The festivities include cultural and recreational events at the town’s Cultural Center, a Eucharist at the hermitage of San Pedro de Alcántara and a procession with the image of San Pedro to the Casa de Fray Andresito.
Visit to the Sanctuary
The House of Fray Andresito is located near the church of San Pedro de Alcántara and behind the House of Doctor Mena, forming part of the Cultural Heritage Complex of La Ampuyenta. This complex offers visitors a deep insight into the religious and cultural history of Fuerteventura.
To visit the Casa de Fray Andresito is to immerse oneself in the life of a man whose humility and dedication left an indelible mark on the history of Fuerteventura and beyond.
