Our Lady of the Pillar

Patron of the diocese of Barinas (Venezuela)

In the Cathedral of Barinas, dedicated to Our Lady of the Pilar of Santiago and Zaragoza, the patron saint of the diocese is sold, the title of deep Hispanic roots arrived in colonial times.

Origin and history

The advocation of Our Lady of the Pilar has its origin in the ancient Zaragozana tradition, according to which the Virgin appeared "in mortal flesh" to the Apostle James on a pillar of stone, while evangelizing Hispania; around that pillar was born the sanctuary of Zaragoza. The devotion to Pilar has been firmly documented since the Middle Ages and spread throughout the Hispanic world.

In Venezuela, the apvocation of the Pilar came in colonial times and was especially rooted in the Dioceses of Barinas and Carúpano. The Barinas Cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady of the Pilar of Santiago and Zaragoza, and is the main center of this diocesan cult and seat. It is sold on October 12, as a diocesan patron party, and is called "Patron of Hispanity and of all Barinese."

Canonical coronation and year of cathedralicia dedication: they are not recorded in the sources.