Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) - The four most important sanctuaries in the Central Pyrennes Mountains now form the “Marian Route Association,” an initiative that has been started with the goal of promoting the pilgrimage sites of: Pilar, Torreciudad, Lourdes, and Montserrat, and that according to its founders “is meant to be established as an important path through Europe, because of the great cultural and religious wealth each one of these Marian sites offer.”
The project’s presentation took place within the International Tourism Fair in Madrid (FITUR). The has come about in commemoration of 2 events of 2008: the Jubilee Year of Lourdes, in its 150th anniversary of the apparitions, and the International Water Exposition in the city of Zaragoza, where the Holy See will place an exposition on the importance of water since the creation of the world and within the history of mankind, water from a spiritual and biblical point of view, and the Church’s commitment to and support of equal distribution of water among the earth’s population.
The new “Marian Route” that has been formed by these four sanctuaries built in honour of the Blessed Mother and located within a 300 km radius of one another, offers visitors art and spirituality, peace and patrimony, all located within beautiful, scenic outdoor settings. Fr. Joseph-Enric Parellada, Rector of the Sanctuary of Montserrat and Director of the Department of Tourism Ministry, Sanctuaries, and Pilgrimages for the Episcopal Conference of Spain, pointed out in the Route’s presentation its importance as, “a sign of hope, that builds bonds of unity and community among Spain’s Sanctuaries.”
The Sanctuary of Pilar, according to Manuel Almor, caretaker from the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar in Zaragoza, is “the oldest sanctuary in the world, dating back to January 2 of the year 40 A.D., when the Virgin Mary herself, in life, came to Zaragoza , to comfort the Apostle James, who had been preaching the Gospel along the shores of the Ebro River.” “Proof” of her visit was left in the pillar. Since then, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Pilar has become, for thousands of people, a pilgrimage site and a place of profound Marian devotion.
Our Lady of Torreciudad has a Marian devotion that dates back to the 11th century. Torreciudad has been known, since its origins, for the impressive amount of families who have continuously visited the site over the course of its 900-year existence. The sanctuary’s construction was made possible, in a large part, through the work and devotion of Saint Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, the founder of Opus Dei, in gratitude for his miraculous healing at the age of two. The sanctuary’s construction was completed in 1975 with the help and support of thousands of faithful, many with a special devotion to the Virgin.
Lourdes, in turn, is known for its being the second most-visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world, after Rome. Lourdes was a small village until 1858, when the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, a local peasant girl. It would be the first of 18 apparitions from Our Lady. These events transformed Lourdes into a Marian metropolis and today it is one of the foremost Marian sanctuaries in the world.
The mountain of Montserrat, located about 50 km from Barcelona, is home to the Virgin Mary, as well as to a Benedictine monastery. The incredible natural scenery in which it is situated makes it not only a place for retreat and prayer, but also a site for enjoying cultural and natural beauty. The Basilica dates back to the 16th century and inside holds the image of the Virgin known as “La Moreneta,” because of her dark color. The statue is a Roman wood-carving from the late 12th century. In 1881, the Virgin of Montserrat was proclaimed Patroness of the Province of Cataluña by Pope Leo XIII. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 13/2/2008 righe 50, parole 637)
