Mare de Déu del Miracle

Copatrona de Balaguer (Lleida)

In Balaguer, a Marian image of which - according to tradition - blood sprout gave name to the Mare de Déu del Miracle, co-patron of the city next to the Sant Crist since 1697.

Origin and history

According to the pious tradition, a woman found the image by digging in her garden by the wall; by putting it in the laundry, in front of a Christian neighbor who came to ask for fire, they both saw that from the holy image there was blood, and the neighborhood kneeling exclaimed "Miracle!, Miracle!." The story places the fact towards the year 1005, in the legendary context. The image is a size of polychrome marble from the 14th century, which represents Mary with the Child and a fruit, read as the second Eve that offers the fruit of redemption.

The oldest certain date of the temple is May 1469; it was rebuilt in 1692, and on 12 November 1697 the bishop of Urgell confirmed it as co-patron of Balaguer next to the Sant Crist. In 1936 the image was saved providentially, although its jewels and crowns were lost. His party is held on the second Sunday of October.

Canonical coronation: not found in the sources.