Marian Advocations of Ceuta and Melilla
The two autonomous cities of Spain in North Africa have two large Marian advocations as their patrons, both canonically crowned: Holy Mary of Africa en Ceuta y Our Lady of Victory en Melilla.
Ceuta
History of Marian devotion in Ceuta and Melilla
Ceuta and Melilla, the two spooky autonomous cities in northern Africa, have a Marian tradition deeply marked by their condition of border squares, meeting ports between continents and centuries of military and religious history. The presence of the Virgin Mary on these lands dates back to the Portuguese conquest of Ceuta in 1415 and to the Spanish one of Melilla in 1497, when the Marian advocacy came from the hands of the conquerors and merged with the local religious sensitivity.
Santa María de Africa is the patron of Ceuta, whose image has been presided over by Ceuti Cathedral since the 15th century. Our Lady of Victory is the patron of Melilla, venerated since the conquest of the city. Both claims reflect the military and border character of these cities, where the Virgin was invoked as a protector of the walls and of the soldiers who defend the squares.
The shrine of Our Lady of Africa in Ceuta, built in 1717 and raised to the lower basilica in 1951, houses the image of the Virgin of Africa, a size of wood from the 15th century that according to tradition was brought from Portugal. The Virgin of the Victory of Melilla, whose image is venerated in the church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, has been the patron of the city since 1635. Both are celebrated with great solemnity: the Virgin of Africa on August 5 and the Virgin of Victory on September 8.
To them is added the Virgin of Europe, the advocation of the Camp of Gibraltar historically linked to Ceuta, which symbolizes the connection between the two banks of the Strait. The Marian devotion in Ceuta and Melilla, although concentrated in few vocations, is intense and expressed in romaneries, processions and popular traditions that reflect the unique identity of these cities.
Marian Advocations of Ceuta and Melilla
Holy Mary of Africa
Patroness, perpetual mayor and governor of Ceuta; Gothic size of the 15th century brought by Henry the Navigant, crowned in 1946, to which the city renews its vote of thanks every 9 February.
"Mother of Africa, bridge of faith between two continents.
"St. Mary of Africa, pray for us.
Our Lady of Victory
Melilla's patron since ancient, ratified by Fernando VI in 1756 and crowned in 1948; tradition tells that his image came on a ship diverted by a temporary after Lepanto.
"Mother of Victory, Melilla's fortress in front of the sea.
"Our Lady of Victory, pray for us."
Our Lady of Europe
The Virgin of Europe is an affront with deep roots in the Campo de Gibraltar and Ceuta, where it was taken by the esporyoles after the conquest of the city in 1415. The image, a Gothic size of the 14th century, was taken to Ceuta Cathedral and later to Algeciras. She is considered the patron of the region of the Campo de Gibraltar. His holiday is held on August 5 and he brings together faithful from both sides of the Strait. The devotion to the Virgin of Europe symbolizes the spiritual union between Spain and Africa through the Strait.
O Virgin of Europe, Mother of all peoples, who from the Strait unites the two shores, protect those who cross the sea and grant us peace among nations. Amen.
Our Lady of the Miracles of the Port of the Cross (Ceuta)
Marian return linked to the Port of Ceuta, where local sailors and fishermen have traditionally venerated the Virgin of the Miracles as a protector of the people of the sea. The Baroque image is venerated in a chapel of the Ceuti port. Its holiday is held in May, with procession through the port and blessing of ships.
O Virgin of the Miracles of Ceuta, Mother of divine grace, protect the workers of the sea and pour out your miracles upon those who call upon you with faith. Amen.
Read more about Our Lady of the Miracles of the Port of the Cross (Ceuta)
Our Lady of Africa of Ceuta, patron of Ceuta
The basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Ceuta, built in 1717, houses the image of the Virgin of Africa, patron of the city. The 15th century wood size is one of the oldest Marian images in North Africa.
"Our Lady of Africa of Ceuta, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Victory of Melilla, patron of Melilla
The image of Our Lady of Victory, patron of Melilla since 1635, is venerated in the church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Virgin of Victory is invoked as a protector of the city and its inhabitants.
"Our Lady of the Victory of Melilla, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Good Council of Ceuta, venerated in the parish of the Good Council
The parish of Our Lady of the Good Council of Ceuta is a center of Marian devotion in the autonomous city. The image of the Virgin of the Good Council, coming from Italy in the 18th century, is the subject of special veneration.
"Our Lady of the Good Council of Ceuta, pray for us.
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