Catholic Feast of the Day - Our Lady of the Pillar (October 12th)
Channel: House of Prayers for Everyone (HOPE)
Date: 2023-10-11

Our Lady of the Pillar is considered as the first Marian apparition in history which took place during the earthly life of the Mary, Mother of God. Her feast day is celebrated every October 12.

Early Tradition

In the early days of Christianity, the Apostles of Jesus spread the Gospel throughout the known world, with Apostle James the Greater evangelizing in Roman Hispania (which is modern-day Spain). It is believed that he faced great difficulties in his missionary efforts and severe discouragement. 

In 40 AD, while he was praying by the banks of the Ebro at Caesaraugusta (which is modern-day Zaragoza), Mary bilocated from Jerusalem, where she was living at the time, and appeared to James, accompanied by thousands of angels, to console and encourage him.

Some of the earliest archaeological evidence of Marian devotion in Zaragoza is found in Christian tombs dating from Roman days, which appear to bear images representing the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin.

Canonical Approval

Due to concerns regarding the miraculous origin of the church, Spain appealed to Pope Innocent XIII to settle the controversy. Twelve cardinals studied the affair and after their investigation, it was approved by the Sacred Congregation of Rites on August 7, 1723.

"Of all the places that Spain offers for the veneration of the devout, the most illustrious is doubtless the sanctuary consecrated to God under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin, under the title of our Lady of the Pillar, at Saragossa. According to ancient and pious tradition, St. James the Greater, led by Providence into Spain, spent some time at Saragossa. He there received a signal favor from the Blessed Virgin."

"As he was praying with his disciples one night, upon the banks of the Ebro, as the same tradition informs us, the Mother of God, who still lived, appeared to him and commanded him to erect an oratory in that place. The apostle delayed not to obey this injunction, and with the assistance of his disciples soon constructed a small chapel. In the course of time, a larger church was built and dedicated, which, with the dedication of Saint Saviour's, is kept as a festival in the city and Diocese of Saragossa on the 4th of October."

It was later inserted in the lessons of the office of the feast of our Lady of the Pillar, celebrated on October 12.

Veneration

Pope Callixtus III granted indulgences for visitors to the shrine in 1456. Pope Clement XII allowed the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar all over the Spanish Empire in 1730. On May 20, 1905, Pope Pius X granted the image a canonical coronation.

Our Lady of the Pillar is considered the Patroness of Aragon and its capital Zaragoza, Hispanic people, the Hispanic world, and the Spanish Civil Guard. Her feast day which is celebrated every October 12, coincides with Columbus Day, the national holiday of Spain.

Our Lady of the Pillar is honored as the patroness of a number of parishes, particularly in South America, the Caribbean, and the Philippines.

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Images attributed to the following:
- By Francisco Goya - Colección Pascual de Quinto (Zaragoza, España). http://www.almendron.com/artehistoria/wp-content/uploads/aparici%C3%B3n-de-la-virgen-del-pilar-a-santiago.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6506796
- By Francisco Goya - [2], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4727463