Our Lady of Custonaci

Marian vocation of Custonaci (Sicily)

About Our Lady of Custonaci in Colombia no specific historical data are found in the usual sources (official pages of dioceses, sanctuaries, Catholic press or repertory of advocacy in Colombia); all points to the fact that it is a local devotion imported from Sicily and spiritually linked to the famous sanctuary of Custonaci in Italy.

Main data

Origin and history

About Our Lady of Custonaci in Colombia no specific historical data are found in the usual sources (official pages of dioceses, sanctuaries, Catholic press or repertory of advocacy in Colombia); all points to the fact that it is a local devotion imported from Sicily and spiritually linked to the famous sanctuary of Custonaci in Italy.

En Sicilia (Italia), the advocation of the Madonna di Custonaci It is well documented: an ancient painting of the 15th century Flemish school is venerated, arrival - according to tradition - on a ship that was saved from a strong storm and arrived on the coast of the country. The Virgin of Custonaci is patron of the municipality of Custonaci and co-patron of the diocese of Trapaniand his devotion is well established throughout the western part of Sicily.

# # Tradition / legend (Sicilian origin)

La tradition refers that a ship, surprised by a storm in the Mediterranean, carried on board an image of the Virgin; the sailors, attributing their salvation to the intercession of Mary, would have left the picture in the region of Custonaci as an exvote. Over time, this image would have been recognized as miraculous, giving origin to the sanctuary and the spread of the advocation. There is no evidence of a similar episode specific to Custonaci, Colombiawhat exists is the spiritual transfer of devotion by migrants or priests linked to Sicily, which, however, is not documented in accessible sources: for Colombia no precise historical narrative.

# # Documented history (Sicilian origin and dissemination)

Históricamente, la painting of the Madonna di Custonaci in Sicily is catalogued as a 15th century Flemish work. She was the object of early popular devotion and, over time, the Virgin of Custonaci was recognized as the main patron of the city of Custonaci y co-patron of the diocese of Trapani. The devotion was especially strengthened in the XVII@-@ XVIII centuries, and the image was coronada en 1752, a gesture that shows the official recognition of a strong and extended veneration.

In relation to Custonaci (Department of Sicily, Colombia)the sources consulted on Marian advocacy in Colombia do not include a specific entry for Our Lady of Custonaci, nor is a national or diocesan sanctuary documented with that title. This is why, at the Colombian level, it can only be said rigorously that this is a Marian devotion of Sicilian originwithout verified local historical data: the detail of their concrete arrival, their first temple or their promoters in Colombia no consta in available sources.

—

The image and the sanctuary

♪ ♪ The image

In its Sicilian origin, the image of Our Lady of Custonaci es un Flamenco school picture of the 15th century, of a classic Marian iconographic type: the Virgin Mary is usually represented, with the Child Jesus in arms, in the attitude of blessing or showing closeness to the faithful. The original support is painting on table, following the style of the Nordic painting spread in the Mediterranean in that period.

Para la devotion in Guaviare, Colombia no specific description of your own image (size, painting, exact reproduction or local version) is found. The most likely - by analogy with other important devotions - is that it is a copy or reproduction (printed or painted) of the Madonna di Custonaci venerated in Sicily, but, in the absence of verifiable data, it should be stated simply: does not contain a detailed description of the image venerated in Colombia.

♪ ♪ The sanctuary or temple

En Italy, the image is venerated in the Sanctuary of Maria Santissima di Custonacinear Trapani, a temple of great regional importance, which has been a reference point for pilgrimages and Marian parties over the centuries. This sanctuary, raised and consolidated as a place of Marian devotion of the diocese in this advocation, is the center of the feast and of the liturgical life of the Madonna di Custonaci.

En Custonaci (Department of Sicily, Colombia)the accessible sources do not record a officially recognized Marian sanctuary with this title (neither as a national sanctuary nor as a diocesan sanctuary). Nor is the existence of a minor basilica documented under this advocation. The most prudent thing, in the light of the information available, is to say:

– Official name of the temple in Colombia: no consta. – Canon category (minor basilica / national / diocesan sanctuary): there is no specific recognition.

It is possible that the advocation is linked to a local parish or chapel with the title of Our Lady of Custonaci, but that information is not documented in verifiable sources of public access.

—

Sponsorship and coronation

# Patronage

En Sicilia (Italia), la Madonna di Custonaci es:

– Patron of the city of Custonaci. – Co-patron of the diocese of Trapani.

These titles are documented in the diocesan tradition and history of Trapani and in the general presentation of the advocation.

En Colombiaspecifically in the area called Custonaci (department of Sicily), no consta Our Lady of Custonaci has been officially proclaimed Patron of a municipality, diocese or regionnor that there is a pontifical or episcopal decree that recognizes it with a specific canonical patronage. There may be a devoción localBut there's no documentary evidence of a formal patronage.

♪ ♪ Coronation ♪

En Italy, the image of the Madonna di Custonaci was coronada en 1752. This coronation is part of the practice, especially spread in the XVII@-@ XVIII centuries, of canonically coronizing images of the Virgin of great devotion. The sources set the date, but the name of the Pontiff or of the delegate who executed the rite is not fully clear in the accessible documentation and, following the instruction received, it is only appropriate to comply with the safe data of the date.

As for the presence of the advocation in Colombia, does not contain a documented canonical coronation of an image of Our Lady of Custonaci in Colombian territory. There are no records in repertory of the country's Marian coronations or in Catholic press releases.

—

Party and devotion

In Sicilian tradition, the fiesta principal de la Madonna di Custonaci se celebra el last Wednesday Augustwith a strong popular dimension and processions that bring together the faithful of Custonaci and the whole diocese of Trapani. Around this date there are novena, solemn Eucharistic celebrations and acts of Marian piety that express the arraigo of the advocation in the religious life of the people.

Para la devotion in Guaviare, Colombiait is reasonable to assume that the community, by adopting this Marian title, has retained the traditional date of last Wednesday August as the main day of celebration, but there is no specific documentary confirmation: local liturgical calendars, diocesan decrees or accessible parish chronicles do not record it in a verifiable manner. Therefore, it can only be stated that:

– Date of main party in Colombia: no consta de forma documentada. – Possible reference: the Sicilian tradition of last Wednesday August.

No reliable data were found on:

– Número de peregrinos o afluencia anual a un eventual santuario colombiano. – Tradiciones populares propias (romerías, procesiones marítimas, promesas, danzas u otras expresiones típicas).

What can be stated with theological and pastoral legitimacy is that, where Mary is taken under this titule