Our Lady of Grace of Lviv

Marian devotion of Lwów (Polish devotion (former eastern lands))

There is no clear and verifiable synthesis of the specific recognition of Nuestra Señora de la Gracia de Leópolis as a Marian title currently alive and organized around a sanctuary of its own; for this reason, one can only speak with certainty of certain historical facts and of others that belong to the realm of tradition or require archival reinvestigation.

Main data

Origin and history

There is no clear and verifiable synthesis of the specific recognition of Nuestra Señora de la Gracia de Leópolis as a Marian title currently alive and organized around a sanctuary of its own; for this reason, one can only speak with certainty of certain historical facts and of others that belong to the realm of tradition or require archival reinvestigation.

En la documented historythe key fact is firmly attested: the King John II Casimiro Vasain the context of the wars against Sweden (the so-called "Swedish Diluvius"), Lviv (Leópolis) los célebres Lopolis votes el 1 April 1656, proclaiming the Virgin Mary as Queen of the Kingdom of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania. This act of national consecration is historically linked to the city of Lwów / Lviv and to the Marian veneration there, although the sources consulted online clearly identify the title of “Reina de Polonia”more than the specific "Our Lady of Grace of Lopolis."

In the plan of the tradition, Polish Marian historiography often links the proclamation of 1656 to a Marian image venerated in Lwówbefore which the king would have performed the act of national consecration. However, in the accessible documentation (general encyclopedias and articles of dissemination on the Vens de Lopolis and the Polish Marian asvocations), a differentiated advocation under the exact title of “Mother of God of Grace of Lviv” nor its subsequent development as a specific sanctuary; therefore, is not certainin the sources consulted, a detailed and secure reconstruction of the history of this advocation as such (origin of the image, author, transfer, vicissitudes, etc.).

The image and the sanctuary

The sources of general consultation (Marian encyclopedia, divulgative articles and advocacy databases) do not accurately and safely describe an image with the formal title of Nuestra Señora de la Gracia de Leópolis: – No consta in these sources the iconographic type (Virgen con Niño, Inmaculada, Virgen de Misericordia, etc.). – No consta el material (pintura sobre lienzo o tabla, escultura de madera, etc.). – No consta a safe description of the iconographic attributes (choron, scepter, cloak, shield, etc.).

Similarly, is not cleara explicitly identified contemporary sanctuary with the title "Matka Boża Łaskawa Lwowska" which is canonically recognized as a national or diocesan sanctuary. The historic city of Lviv (Leópolis/Lviv) fue un gran centro eclesiástico polaco, con diversos templos marianos; sin embargo, la información consultada no permite afirmar con rigor: – el current official name del templo donde se veneraría hoy una imagen con este título; – si posee rango de minor basilica o de sanctuary nacional/diocesan under this specific invocation.

Since the border between the former Polish eastern lands and the present Ukraine has had a very complex history (wars, population changes, closure and reopening of temples in Soviet times), the precise reconstruction of the sanctuary of "Our Lady of Grace of Lopolis" demands specific historical and archival researchwhich is not immediately reflected in general sources.

Sponsorship and coronation

On the plane Nationalit is well documented that, following the Lopolis votes 1656the Virgin Mary was recognized as Queen of Poland and that this title has been reaffirmed by the Magisterium and popular piety. This Marian national patronage is historically linked to the city of Lwów and to the ceremony held there. However, sources of general consultation do not require that the official title of the national patronage be specifically formulated as "Our Lady of Grace of Lopolis"but as "Mary, Queen of Poland".

As for a patronazgo local (city, specific diocese or region) under the exact name of Our Lady of Grace of Lviv, no consta in a clear and verifiable way in the accessible resources a specific formal declaration (for example, "Patron of Lwów / Lviv under the title of Our Lady of Grace").

On the canonical coronation of the image under this title, does not contain a documented canonical coronation in the sources consulted (official announcements, coronations lists, international Catholic press notes or encyclopedic summaries). With the required rigour, neither a specific date nor the name of a pontiff or pontifical delegate can be attributed for a coronation of "Our Lady of Grace of Lopolis."

Party and devotion

La liturgical feast It is clearly linked to the Lopolis Votes and the national Marian recognition in Poland that Mary, Queen of Poland, celebrada el 3 May, also associated with the tradition of the Polish Constitution of 1791. This Marian memory is deeply rooted in Polish religious life and is celebrated throughout the country.

As regards a party of its own under the specific title of Nuestra Señora de la Gracia de Leópolis, no consta in the general calendars or in the descriptions of Polish Marian parties consulted a clear and differentiated mention (with specific day of liturgical or popular celebration). Local customs may have existed or existed around a specific image in Lwów / Lviv, but no aparece witness verificationble in the general sources (dioceses, sanctuaries, online Catholic press) that have been accessed.

No reliable data on organized pilgrimages, afluencia, ni popular traditions detailed (processions, votes, specific novies) linked to this advocation with that precise name. The Marian memory of Lwów is included, in the present disclosure, within the great framework of Polish devotion to Mary as Queen of Polandmore than under the particular sign of "Our Lady of Grace of Lopolis."

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted no mencionan explícitamente un particular and documented link between the advocation of Nuestra Señora de la Gracia de Leópolis and the prayer of Rosary (for example, Rosary cofradies based on that particular sanctuary, own rosarian processions, special indulgences, etc.). Therefore, no consta a specific and unique relationship with the Rosary in the available documentation.

However, in the context of Polish Marian Spirituality, el Rosary It occupies a central place as a prayer of trust and intercession of Mary for the people, especially in times of war, occupation or persecution. The proclamation of Mary as Queen of Poland in Leópolis in 1656 is part of a tradition in which the Polish people find in the Virgin protection and counsel to the historical tribulations. On this horizon, it can be understood that devotion to Mary venerated in Lopolis, although not explicitly linked to the Rosary by precise sources, is naturally accompanied by the prayer of the Rosarywhich helps:

– contemp