Our Lady of the Guard

Marian dedication of Genoa (Liguria)

La advocación de Our Lady of the Guard (Madonna della Guardia) nace en el Monte Figogna, near Genoa (Liguria, Italy), from the experience attributed to the peasant Benedict Pareto el August 29, 1490. According to tradition, the Virgin would have appeared to him asking him to rise up in that place a sanctuary, which later became the centre of pilgrimages and one of the main Marian seals of Liguria. This tradition is the devotional foundation of the Italian sanctuary and the subsequent difusions of the advocation.

Main data

Origin and history

La advocación de Our Lady of the Guard (Madonna della Guardia) nace en el Monte Figogna, near Genoa (Liguria, Italy), from the experience attributed to the peasant Benedict Pareto el August 29, 1490. According to tradition, the Virgin would have appeared to him asking him to rise up in that place a sanctuary, which later became the centre of pilgrimages and one of the main Marian seals of Liguria. This tradition is the devotional foundation of the Italian sanctuary and the subsequent difusions of the advocation.

As for the documented history, it is noted that from the 16th century, Mount Figogna is consolidated as a place of Marian devotion and that the sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Guardia becomes considered the principal Marian sanctuary of Liguria. The devotion expands through Italy and beyond, favored by the proximity of Genoa to the sea and by the confidence of sailors and travelers in the protection of the Virgin.

For a specific presence of this advocation in Genoa (department of Nariño), Colombiawith his own temple or diocesan sanctuary under the title of Our Lady of the Guard, no verifiable data from official or historical accessible sources (diocese, episcopal conferences, repertory of Marian advocations in Colombia). There may be some chapel, parish or image of local devotion with this title, but there is no public documentation that will allow you to rigorously rebuild your particular history in that cityTherefore, only the Italian origin of the advocation can be safely affirmed.

The image and the sanctuary

En el Monte FigognaOur Lady is venerated in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Guard, recognized as minor basilica and the main Marian sanctuary of Liguria. The current structure is a large complex on the top of the mountain, visible from the genoese region, with temple of large ships, spaces for pilgrims and areas annexed for spiritual reception. The basilica was recognized as such in the 20th century and is described as a "great sanctuary" that crowns the mountain and hosts crowds.

La image the main venerated on Mount Figogna is a representation of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus, according to the traditional iconography of the Italian Marian shrines; it is linked to the memory of the apparition to Benedetto Pareto, but the sources disseminated of a divulgative character do not detail precisely the material, author, no artistic style of the primitive image, or of the successive images of veneration. There is no detailed technical description in accessible sources (type of size, specific art school, etc.); therefore, on these specific aspects no consta sufficiently documented information.

En la city of Genoa (Nariño, Colombia), if there is a documented reference to santuary, basilica, parroquia the temple officially erected under the title of Our Lady of the Guard, canonically linked to the shrine of Monte Figogna or recognized as diocesan or national sanctuary. If there is a local temple with this advocation, its architectural description and the exact typology of the image no constan in verified sources.

Sponsorship and coronation

In the Italian context, Our Lady of the Guard is patron of the city of Genoa and is especially invoked as protection of sailors and travellers. Its sanctuary on Mount Figogna is considered the main Marian Ligur sanctuary and a reference of the Catholic identity of the region.

For the patronage in Colombiaand in particular Genoa (Nariño), no consta in official sources that Our Lady of the Guard has been proclaimed head of the city, municipality, diocese or national level.

As for the canonical coronation of the image venerated in Monte Figogna, some divulgative sources mention a great spread of devotion and the elevation of the sanctuary to lower basilica, but no express, clear and verifiable reference to the year and to the Pontiff / delegate of a specific canonical coronation of the image has been found in the sources consulted.. Therefore, following the requested approach: does not contain a documented canonical coronation (with year and pontiff / delegate clearly identified in official accessible sources).

Party and devotion

La main party of Our Lady of the Guard, linked to the apparition of Benedetto Pareto, is celebrated the August 29the date on which the founding experience of 1490 is commemorated on Mount Figogna. The general Marian calendar also contains the title "Our Lady of the Guard" with another date, related to the variant of Marseilles (France), the 4 Marchbut that corresponds to the Not- Give me the Garde of Marseillesother than the ligur and any local devotion in Colombia.

El sanctuary italiano del Monte Figogna recibe anually multitudes de peregrinosbeing a place of prayer, confessions, participation in the Eucharist and thanksgiving for favors and protection received. Devotion is characterized by trust in the Virgin as Protective mother in dangerespecially in relation to work at sea, travel and daily difficulties.

For a possible local devotion in Guaviare, Colombia, do not contain in verified sources data on the number of pilgrims, own processions, novena or specific popular traditions (employer processions, promises, etc.). If there is a parish party with this advocation, its specific organization and associated customs no constan in the available documentation.

Link to the Rosary

In the sources consulted on the Santuario de Nostra Signora della Guardia en el Monte Figogna no se menciona un specific and explicit link with the Rosary prayer (for example, as a rosarian Marian sanctuary, a historical fellowship of the Rosary itself, or an official title linked to the Rosary). It should therefore be clearly stated: no consta a unique and documented link of this advocation to the Rosary, beyond the ordinary Marian practice of the Church.

However, as in most Marian shrines, it is reasonable to assume - in line with the usual pastoral practice - that the Rosary It is part of the frequent prayers of the faithful and pilgrims, as meditation of the mysteries of Christ with Mary. The Rosary, by contemplating the joyful, luminous, painful and glorious mysteries, allows the devotees of Our Lady of the Guard to join Mary's faith, to entrust her with the difficulties of the road, to ask for protection in travel and work, and to intercede for families and the Church. In this way, even without a particular proven historical link, the Rosary is presented as the privileged way to accompany and deepen devotion a Our Lady of the Guard, in Italy, in Colombia and where this advocation is honored.