Our Lady of Defense, venerated in the Sanctuary of Ocotlán de Puebla

Marian devotion of Puebla (Puebla)

La advocación de Our Lady of Defense is linked to the city of Puebla (Mexico), where it is venerated as of the city and the diocese, with documented roots at least since the 17th century. The image is in the Altar de los Reyes de la Basílica Catedral de Puebla, and the archdiocese presents it as one of the patrons of the Angelopolis, especially invoked as and defence counsel in times of danger, wars and calamities.

Main data

Origin and history

La advocación de Our Lady of Defense is linked to the city of Puebla (Mexico), where it is venerated as of the city and the diocese, with documented roots at least since the 17th century. The image is in the Altar de los Reyes de la Basílica Catedral de Puebla, and the archdiocese presents it as one of the patrons of the Angelopolis, especially invoked as and defence counsel in times of danger, wars and calamities.

According to the tradition, the image would have come from Toledo (Spain) in 1621, brought by a hermit or "holy man" called Juan Bautista de Jesús, who would have placed it initially in an hermitage in the vicinity of Puebla. This tradition also refers to graces and favors of protection granted to those who came to Our Lady in times of danger, which founded her title of "Defense" and her fame as a lawyer and protector. This news is in the field of popular piety and are not kept as notarial records or official documents, as they are considered Pious tradition, more than strictly proven history.

As for the documented historythe sources of the archdiocese of Puebla indicate that 1640 the bishop Juan de Palafox and Mendoza the image from its first hermitage to the Catedral de Pueblawhere he enthroned her like Protector of the city and the diocese. It is also attested that the 24 November 1946 the image was crowned in Puebla on the occasion of third centenary of that translation. In reliable sources, there is no concrete historical relationship between this advocation and the town of Ocotlán de Puebla in Colombia; the firm references indicate its roots in the city of Puebla (Mexico).

The image and the sanctuary

The image of Our Lady of Defense is a Virreinal period Marian sculpture, venerated today in the Altar de los Reyes de la Basílica Catedral de Puebla, in the historic center of the city. The local press and the archdiocese describe it as a 16th century image representing the Immaculate Conception, that is, a size of the Virgin Mary in an immaculate attitude, standing and associated with the mystery of her Immaculate Conception. There is no precise technical description of the material (polychrome wood, etc.) in the sources consulted, although for its time and style it can be assumed a traditional novospian size; in the absence of explicit confirmation, the formula is maintained: is not certain the material of the sculpture.

The temple where it is venerated is the Basílica Catedral de Puebla, the seat of the archdiocese, officially recognized as a cathedral and a minor basilica. Inside the cathedral, the image occupies a prominent place in the Altar de los Reyes, where it is mentioned as one of the most famous Marian images of the archdiocese. The main sanctuary of this advocation, therefore, is not an independent rural sanctuary, but the same cathedral temple, which becomes a de facto diocesan Marian sanctuary around this image, especially at its feast. There is no evidence in the available documentation that there is a National sanctuary or a specific official title of "diocesan sanctuary" separated for this advocation: it is devotion to a headline image within the cathedral.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of Defense is recognized in diocesan sources and in the press as patron and protector of the city of Pueblathe so-called "Angelópolis." It is explicitly mentioned as "one of the patrons of the city of Puebla," in parallel to the patronage of San Miguel Archangel. This dimension of urban and diocesan patronage it goes back, in the documentation, to the decision of Bishop Palafox to enlist it as a protector in the cathedral in 1640.

As for the coronation, consta que el 24 November 1946 the image was coronate by the then archbishop of Puebla, Mons. José Ignacio Márquez, to commemorate the "third centenary of the transfer of the venerable image of Our Lady of Defense from her first hermitage to the city of Puebla." The local sources speak of "coronation" and celebrate it liturgically, but do not explicitly specify whether it was a pontifical canonical coronation or a diocesan coronation. Since the accessible documentation does not specify the Pontifical Decree or the name of the papal delegate, it should be strictly stated: no canonical coronation documented with pontifical decree in the sources consulted.

Party and devotion

La main party Our Lady of Defense is currently celebrating the May 24according to the order of Archbishop Octaviano Márquez. The choice of this date is linked to the day the image returned to the Cathedral after being temporarily borrowed to accompany a military campaign in northern Chile in the 17th century, according to the historical tradition transmitted by the archdiocese and the press. On that date a holiday that includes the Rezo of the Holy Rosary, procession with the image through the streets of the historical center, the passage of the faithful under the cloak of the Virgin, coronation of the image and solemn Holy Mass.

Devotion presents very marked popular features: the character of "protector of the Angelopolis"especially in the face of dangers, wars and calamities, and the custom to entrust the city in adverse situations (e.g. natural or social contingencies). The diocesan media point out that the image is "one of the most famous of the archdiocese," which implies a significant influx of faithful to its celebrations. Although no exact figures are provided, the presence of civil authorities and numerous devotees in the procession and at the Mass of their feast is documented. It does not include, in the sources consulted, a party of its own September 8 for this advocation in Puebla; the date established and officially celebrated is the May 24.

Link to the Rosary

The relationship between Our Lady of Defense and the Rosary today it appears explicitly in the celebration of its feast: the liturgical program of the Cathedral of Puebla begins on May 24 with the Rezo of the Holy Rosary before the image, followed by procession, coronation and Eucharist. The fact that the feast begins with the Rosary, and that many faithful pray it as they pass under the cloak of the Virgin, shows how this devotion is fully integrated into the traditional Marian spirituality of the Church.

No revised source specific historical tradition which links the origin of the title "of the Defense" to a brotherhood of the Rosary or to a miracle directly associated with the prayer of mysteries. In the absence of this explicit reference, it can be noted, in theological and devotional key, that the Rosary He accompanies this advocation because he meditates on the main mysteries of the life of Christ with the eyes of Mary, and thus strengthens the trust of the faithful in the maternal protection of the Virgin. By contemplating the