Marian Advocations of La Rioja
La Rioja, a land of vineyards between the Sierra de la Demanda and the Ebro, has in Our Lady of Valvanera, venerated in her Benedictine monastery, the patron of the whole region. Next to it, each riojana villa keeps its Virgin: the Vega in Haro - famous for its "Rosario de los Faroles" -, the Esperanza "La Toledana" in Logroño, Allende in Ezcaray or Carrassejo in Grañón. Devotions attached to the harvest, the Way of Santiago and the prayer of the Rosary. These are some of the most beloved Marian claims of La Rioja.
History of Marian devotion in La Rioja
La Rioja, a land of wines and sanctuaries, has one of the richest and oldest Marian traditions in Spain. Its geography, marked by the Ebro valley and the mountains of the Demanda, Cameros and Cebollera, is home to a dense network of Marian shrines that are testimony to centuries of popular faith. The devotion to the Virgin Mary in La Rioja is characterized by the close link between the sanctuaries and the rural world: each valley, each region, has its own apvocation to which it comes in Rome.
Valvanera, patron of La Rioja, is the spiritual center of the region. His monastery, born at the time of the Reconquist, has been a beacon of spirituality for over a thousand years. The Star, Balbanera, Vega, Hope, Vico, Allende, Carrassejo, Lomos de Orios and so many other vocations complete a Marian panorama of extraordinary wealth, where each sanctuary is a testimony of the popular piety of Riojana.
The riojana romaneries, with their cheerful and participatory character, the gastronomy that accompanies them and the song of the "Rosario de la Aurora," are living manifestations of a faith that is transmitted from generation to generation. La Rioja is no doubt a land of Mary.
Main Marian Advocations of La Rioja
Our Lady of La Vega
Patrona de Haro, his image carries a rosary, a pomegranate and a spikes; at his holidays of September 8 the "Rosario de los Faroles," of Regional Tourist Interest, runs the streets.
"With the rosary in her hand, the Mother accompanies her people.
"Our Lady of Vega, pray for us."
Our Lady of Allende
The 14th-century Gothic figure, patron of Ezcaray, in a baroque hermitage of Mount San Torcuato, which preserves a unique collection of arcabuceros angels from the Virreinate of Peru.
- From the other side of the river, the Mother accompanies the farmers.
"Our Lady of Allende, pray for us."
Our Lady of Hope
Patrona de Logroño, "La Toledana," venerated in the church of Santiago el Real; proclaimed Patroness by Pius XII in 1948 and appointed Mayor of the city in 1976.
In the hope of her city, the Mother never forgives her.
"Our Lady of Hope, pray for us.
Our Lady of Carrassejo
Patrona de Grañón in a baroque hermitage of the forest, next to the Camino de Santiago, with a large collection of painted exvotes; to its construction contributed the co-fradia of the Rosary.
"In an oak that appears," the Mother sponsors all her land.
"Our Lady of Carrassejo, pray for us."
Our Lady of Vico
Monastery in an ancient rupestre enclave on the Cidacos, Franciscan foundation of 1456 today cistercian; the Virgin of Vico, of Romanesque size, is traditional patron of Arnedo.
Ο In the rock baked by the hermit, the Mother continues to host.
"Our Lady of Vico, pray for us."
Virgin of Lomos de Orios
It stands at 1,415 m in the Sierra de Cebollera, with a Romanesque size venerated by the transhuman pastors; its "Charity" delivers bread and lamb every first Sunday of July.
Ο On the golden summits, the Mother takes care of the shepherd and his flock.
"Virgin of Lomos de Orios, pray for us."
Virgin of the Robles
Venerated in his hermitage of Sorzano; every third Sunday of May, a hundred white maidens with acebo branches accompany her in the procession of the One hundred maidens, heiress of a vote of 1398.
In the midst of stalking, the maidens honor the Mother.
"Virgin of the Roble, pray for us."
Virgin of Tomalos
Torrecilla pattern in Cameros, venerated in its sanctuary on a peñasco next to the Itruce; its primitive Gothic size of Zigalares is preserved in the parish museum.
"From the rock of the truce, the Mother is watching over the Cameroonian.
"Our Lady of Take them, pray for us."
Our Lady of Valvanera
Patrona de La Rioja, venerated in the Monastery of Valvanera, located in the heart of the Sierra de la Demanda. The tradition tells that the image was found by a hermitanyo called Munio in the ninth century, inside an oak (from there "Valvanera," from the vallis venaria: "valley of the water veins"). The monastery, founded in the 10th century, is one of the most important spiritual centers in La Rioja. The image is a 12th century Romanesque size, sitting with the Ninyo on the lap. His holiday, on September 8, brings together thousands of riojanos in Rome. Valvanera is the Marian devotion par excellence of La Rioja.
O Virgin of Valvanera, Mother of La Rioja, who you appeared in the oak to be the light of our land, protect all the Riojans and grant us the grace of always living under your protection. Amen.
Our Lady of the Star
Venerated in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Star in San Asensio, on the banks of the Ebro. Tradition places the origin of worship in the 13th century, when a shepherd found the image in a cave illuminated by a star. The present 18th century sanctuary is a beautiful Baroque building. The image is a Gothic size of the 14th century. His holiday is held on September 8 with a large Romanesque. The Virgin of the Star is one of the most beloved advocates of La Rioja Alta.
O Virgin of the Star, light that guides our steps in the night, drive us to your Son Jesus Christ and reach us the grace of always walking in faith. Amen.
Our Lady of Balbanera
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Nativity of Balbanera, in the municipality of Colta, is one of the oldest Marian temples in La Rioja, with origins in the 12th century. Tradition attributes its foundation to Alfonso VIII. The Romanesque temple, declared Good of Cultural Interest, preserves a Gothic image of the Virgin of the 13th century. The rosemary of 8 September is one of the most traditional in the region of Cameros.
O Virgin of Balbanera, Mother of Nativity, who from your ancient sanctuary you bless these lands, protect the Riojans and grant us the joy of the Birth of your Son. Amen.
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