October 12, 2021, Our Lady of the Pillar, Holy Rosary (Sorrowful Mysteries)

We celebrate today Our Lady of Pillar, Nuestra Señora del Pilar, the patron of Spain and all Hispanic peoples. On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus first sighted American land, and then the first Mass in the Americas was celebrated.

The origin of the Virgin of the Pillar dates back to the year 40 A.D. Saint James the Apostle, along with eight disciples, was praying on the bank of the river Ebro in Saragossa, Spain. He received at that time an apparition of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus standing on a pillar. It was the first Marian apparition in history and it took place during the earthly life of Mary.

The Holy Virgin comforted James and his disciples and ask them to build a church on the site. She promised that this church would “stand from that moment until the end of time in order that God may work miracles and wonders through my intercession for all those who place themselves under my patronage.”

This church, today a magnificent building in Saragossa, is the first one dedicated to Mary. It has survived invasions and wars. Even in the Spanish Civil War, three bombs were dropped there by the communists and none of them exploded.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!
Our Lady of the Pillar, Pray for Us!

+ Mikel A. | TheRosaryNetwork.org, New York