Mare de Déu de l’Acadèmia

«Verge Blanca» · patrona de Lleida

Lleida is a patron of the Mare de Déu de l'Acadèmia, the "Verge Blanca"; an advocation born in the 19th century in the heat of the Mariana Academy, which prolonges the ancient devotion of the city to Santa Maria in the Seu Vella and honors the dogma of the Immaculate.

Origin and history

The Reial i Pontificia Acadèmia Mariana - Acadèmia Bibliogrífico - Mariana de Lleida - was founded in 1862 by the priest Josep María Escolà, along with Josep Mensa and Lluís Roca i Florejachs, in order to glorify the Virgin with the arts and letters and as a permanent monument to the dogmatic definition of the Immaculate Conception of 1854. The self-devotion to the Mare de Déu de l'Acadèmia was consolidated between 1862 and 1865, and the oratorium-sanctuary was built between 1869 and 1871, according to the project of Peter A. Peña, blessed by the bishop of Urgell Josep Caixal. This advocation is understood as a continuation of the old citizen devotion to St. Mary, venerated from the Reconquist in the Seu Vella.

The Mare de Déu de l'Acadèmia, also known as "Verge Blanca de l'Acadèmia," was proclaimed a patron of Lleida for life by Pope Pius XII, by decree of 5 January 1946, in equal rank with Saint Anastasio, martyr and co-patron of the city. Under the title of the Immaculate Conception, the Holy Congregation of Rites set in 1923 its liturgical feast on 13 October; since 1981 the city celebrates its patron saint on the first Sunday of October. The prayer of the Acadèmia has become a religious and cultural symbol of Lleida.

Canonical coronation: not found in the sources.