Virgin of Castrotierra

Coronado · Castrotierra de la Valdorna (León) · The Virgin who ascends to Astorga

En la Valduerna Leoness is coming to the Virgin of Castrotierra, the protagonist of one of the most unique Marian traditions in Spain: when the drought is severe, its image is carried on a multitudinarian pilgrimage to the catedral de Astorga to implore the rain. A devotion documented since the 16th century and canonically crowned.

Main data

The Legend of Water

It tells the tradition that, in times of Saint Toribio, Bishop of AstorgaThe region suffered a seven-year drought. The saint advised to seek the image of the Virgin and to take her in procession with a noviary of prayer; followed by counsel, la lluvia volvió a la tierra. From that favor was born the custom, living to this day, of going to the Virgin of Castroland in the great droughts. The first documented historical news of the pilgrimage to Astorga dates from 1557According to the Archivo del Cabildo astorgano.

The Romeria to Astorga

The Virgin "comes out" generally every seven years - or when the drought so demands - on the date of May decided by a vote of the For the Earth, the neighborhood boards that guard tradition. The image remains nine days in the cathedral of Astorga, where a solemn novena is prayed. The procession is organized in three blocks - pendons, parochial crosses and image - with the participation of many peoples of Valdorina; upon return, the young men exhibit their skill by turning the huge pendons, and the Virgin is received by the image of the Immaculate.

Favors and popular devotion

The Virgin of Castrotierra is, for the whole region, the Mother who comes to the most elementary need of a land of tillage: water. The rain coming after their pilgrimage, the saved fields and so many other favors are part of the grateful memory of Valdorna. These testimonies belong to popular piety and not to a formal ecclesiastical statement.

Mary, help the people

As the people of Israel cried in the desert, the Valdorna went up to her Virgin when the earth was thirsty, confident in the intercession of the Mother. The same confidence is being extended in the Holy Rosarythe humble and constant prayer with which Mary always leads us to her Son.