Our Lady of Ecology

Marian dedication of Juberri (Sant Julià de Lòria) (Andorra)

The documentation available on Juberri and its contemporary gardens shows that the space was created 2005 by a local resident, Nicole Grignon, in collaboration with the Comu (municipality) of Sant Julià de Lòria, as a green park with mainly animal-themed sculptures and some religious motifs, open to the public all year round. It is therefore an area contemporary, integrated in the urbanization of Juberri (about 5 km from Sant Julià de Lòria and about 1,275 m of altitude).

Main data

Origin and history

The documentation available on Juberri and its contemporary gardens shows that the space was created 2005 by a local resident, Nicole Grignon, in collaboration with the Comu (municipality) of Sant Julià de Lòria, as a green park with mainly animal-themed sculptures and some religious motifs, open to the public all year round. It is therefore an area contemporary, integrated in the urbanization of Juberri (about 5 km from Sant Julià de Lòria and about 1,275 m of altitude).

There is no explicit, stable and documented reference to a Marian shrine canonically erected under the advocation of Our Lady of Ecology nor an ecclesial decree formally approving this advocation in Juberri. It must therefore be understood that the link between Juberri and this advocation is, in what can be verified, of a spiritual and symbolic character, linked to ecological sensitivity and the natural environment, rather than an explicit legal-canonical declaration.

There is no open source tradition or ancient legend on apparitions or prodigious facts linked to the Virgin in this place; devotional configuration is, as available, recent and associated with the creation of the gardens and the landscape of Juberri.

The image and the sanctuary

The detailed descriptions of the Juberri Contemporary Gardens point to a set of modern sculpturesespecially of animals and human figures, scattered in a careful green environment with views of the valley. However, the information available does not accurately document a imagen marian concrete officially entitled Mare de Déu de l’Ecologia (type of size, material, author, year of realization, specific iconographic attributes). Consequently, no consta a reliable iconographic description of a Marian image of this advocation in Juberri.

The traditional cultural reference place of the people is the church of Sant Esteve de Juberri, a small Roman-root temple located very close to the gardens. In contrast, the Juberri Contemporary Gardens are described as a public park or "contemporary gardens," maintained by the Comu, without official recognition as National sanctuary, diocesan sanctuary o minor basilica in the sources consulted. Therefore, from a canonical point of view, no consta There is a "sanctuary of Our Lady of Ecology" formally erected in Juberri, although the place can be used privately as a space of Marian prayer and contemplation in nature.

Sponsorship and coronation

In the accessible civil and ecclesial legislation, as well as in the parish and tourist information concerning Sant Julià de Lòria and Andorra, no consta que Our Lady of Ecology has been declared official patron of the parish, the municipality, the diocese of Urgell or the Principality of Andorra. Nor does this advocation appear among the Marian patronings officially recognized for Andorra in the usual sources (which do, for example, quote the Mare de Déu de Meritxell as the main patron).

On the canonical coronationthere is no documentary reference to a decree of the Holy See or of the diocesan bishop that has granted canonical coronation to a Marian image under the title of Our Lady of Ecology in Juberri. It should therefore be clearly stated: does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

In the liturgical and festive calendars of the parish of Sant Julià de Lòria, as well as in the information of the diocese of Urgell and in the local press, no consta an official liturgical feast established under the name of Our Lady of Ecology linked to Juberri. The main Marian festivities in Andorra revolve around historical advocacy such as the Mare de Déu de Meritxell, patron of the Principality, and other images with traditional sanctuaries.

The Juberri Gardens receive a significant number of visitors throughout the year, attracted by the landscape, sculptures and views, and have become a space for walk and contemplation. Although it is reasonable to assume that some visitors can live the place as a field of prayer or Christian reflection in the midst of creation, in the sources consulted no se documentan organized Marian pilgrimages or specific popular traditions (romaneries, processions, own novenas) expressly dedicated to Our Lady of Ecology.

Link to the Rosary

The available documentation on Juberri and its gardens does not mention a of the Rosary, no open-air days of the Rosary, no specific Marian practices formally linked to the advocation of Our Lady of Ecology. It should therefore be indicated that no consta a concrete historical or institutional link between this advocation and the prayer of the Rosary.

From a general Marian perspective, the Rosary can very appropriately accompany a devotion to Mary contemplated as protection of creation:: The joyful mysteries allow us to meditate on the Incarnation in a world that God loves; the luminous mysteries lead us to see Christ as the light of the nations; the painful ones remember the groan of creation wounded by sin; and the glorious ones direct the look to the final restoration of all things in Christ. Thus, even if there is no specific tradition in Juberri, the prayer of the Rosary in a natural environment like that of the Juberri Gardens can help to unite the praise to the Creator, the love of the Virgin and the commitment to the care of the common housein full harmony with the ecological spirituality promoted by the Church.