Sweet Lady of Bolduque

Marian Advocation of Bolduque (Northern Brabant)

La Sweet Lady of Bolduque (Sweet Lady of Hertogenbosch), también llamada Sweet Mother, is an ancient Marian image venerated in the Cathedral of San Juan de 's-Hertogenbosch (Bolduque), in the province of Northern Brabante, the Netherlands. From 1380 is honored to Mary de's-Hertogenbosch in this cathedral, where the statue became the center of an important medieval pilgrimage within the tradition of the Marian "statues of mercy" of the Netherlands.

Main data

Origin and history

La Sweet Lady of Bolduque (Sweet Lady of Hertogenbosch), también llamada Sweet Mother, is an ancient Marian image venerated in the Cathedral of San Juan de 's-Hertogenbosch (Bolduque), in the province of Northern Brabante, the Netherlands. From 1380 is honored to Mary de's-Hertogenbosch in this cathedral, where the statue became the center of an important medieval pilgrimage within the tradition of the Marian "statues of mercy" of the Netherlands.

After Protestant Reformation and subsequent religious convulsions, veneration and pilgrimages fell seriously and were even interrupted for long periods. Various studies and the official presentation of devotion point out that the image is a size gothic wood de los 13th-14th century, that was rediscovered in the 19th century, a fact that led to the restoration of pilgrimage and public devotion in the city and throughout the country.

En la local tradition it is recalled that, unlike other images called "miraculous," whose fame spread despite being judged ungraceful, the Sweet Mother would be "the only one in the world whose worship had begun because people found her ugly." This anecdote belongs to the field of devotional legend and is used as catechesis on Mary's love beyond aesthetic criteria, but it is not a verifiable historical data.

The image and the sanctuary

The Sweet Lady of Bolduque is a Gothic style wood image, belonging to the group of Marian "statues of mercy" of the Netherlands. It is an image of a round package, of dimensions suitable for the processional veneration and the near veneration of the faithful. The official description highlights that, although it does not respond to ideal beauty canons, popular devotion has recognized it as Mother merciful and close. More specific iconographic details (exact position of the Child, symbolic attributes, original polychrome) are not detailed in the sources consulted.

The image is venerated in the catedral de San Juan (Sint‑Janskathedraal) de's-Hertogenbosch, one of the most important Gothic temples in the Netherlands. The official site of devotion and diocesan materials point out that the Cathedral of San Juan is the center of the pilgrimage to the Sweet Mother and the place where hundreds of thousands of candles are lit each year in her honor. It is not recorded in the sources consulted that the cathedral has been declared minor basilica nor that the sanctuary has a specific official title as a national sanctuary; it is presented mainly as diocesan catedral y Marian sanctuary of pilgrimage at the regional and national levels.

Sponsorship and coronation

The Sweet Lady of Bolduque is considered spiritual patron of the city of 's-Hertogenbosch / Den Boschwhere it is known simply as the Sweet Mother or "Zoete Lieve Vrouw." The sources stress that it is one of the best known and loved Marian images of the Netherlands, with devotional irradiation that exceeds the local level. However, the documents consulted do not contain a formal decree that officially proclaims it. patron of the diocese or a recognised patronage at the National.

As for his canonical coronation, in the revised sources (official presentation of devotion, diocesan information and dissemination synthesis) does not contain a documented canonical coronation with indication of year and pontiff or delegate. In the absence of a firm data, it cannot be strictly stated that the image has been canonically crowned.

Party and devotion

The main feast of the Sweet Lady of Bolduque is held the 7 Julythe date on which the diocesan community and the pilgrims especially honor the Sweet Mother. Throughout the year, the Cathedral of San Juan receives a constant flow of faithful who come to pray, to present intentions and to light candles before the image.

Devotion is characterized by an intense popular pilgrimage, so the Sweet Mother is described as one of the best known Marian pilgrimage centres in the Netherlands. The official site points to a significant fact: each year they turn on in their honor around 400,000 candlesas an expression of prayer, gratitude and intercession, despite the context of deChristianization in Europe. The tradition of "going where the Sweet Mother" is part of the religious identity of many inhabitants of 's-Hertogenbosch and other parts of the country, who come to it in situations of need, disease or thanksgiving.

Link to the Rosary

The specific documentation on the Sweet Lady of Bolduque does not contain a particular historical link con el Rosary (for example, a rosarian brotherhood from the sanctuary or a feast from the Rosary itself). The main focus of devotion is the pilgrimage, the visit to the sanctuary and the burning of candles before the image.

However, as in most Marian shrines of Catholic tradition, the prayer of the Rosary naturally accompanies the piety of the faithful: the Rosary allows to meditate on the mysteries of Christ's life with Mary, receive comfort in the trial and join your own intentions with the intercession of the Sweet Mother. In this way, although there is no specific historical link documented, the Rosary is integrated in an organic way into devotion to the Sweet Lady of Bolduque as Marian prayer on the pilgrimages and visits to the Cathedral of San Juan.