Our Lady of the Milk and the Good Party

Marian Advocation of San Agustín (Florida)

Documented history

Main data

Origin and history

Documented history

La devoción a Our Lady of the Milk and the Good Party has roots in Spain, where an image of the Virgin was venerated by breastfeeding the Child Jesus under titles like Virgin of Milk o Virgin of Bethlehem since the 16th century. From this Spanish tradition, Spanish missionaries and settlers took devotion to the New World.

In the United States, the title is linked to the foundation of the city of San Agustín de la Florida, established by Admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés in 1565, considered the oldest European city in the current United States. In this context the Mission Name of God and there was erected a first hermitage dedicated to the Virgin, which would eventually be known as Our Lady of the Milk and the Good Party. It is considered first Marian santuary of the United States, linked to the first Spanish evangelization.

The current chapel of the advocation was rebuilt in the 20th century, specifically in 1915, after several previous destruction by historical conflicts and avatars. The image that is being venerated today is a replica of the original old rustic image, which has been lost.

Tradition and Legend

Various devotional sources point out that the first Spanish settlers They came to this image to ask for protection in childbirth and the gift of motherhood, transmitting from generation to generation the testimony of graces obtained and happy births. There is also talk of soldiers, sailors and missionaries who entrusted their families and future descendences to the Virgin of La Leche; however, these accounts are traditional and are not always based on contemporary documentation.

Also part of the local tradition is the consideration of this sanctuary as a "miraculous" place for those who suffer infertility or at-risk pregnancies. Although pious testimonies abound, there is no official record of miracles approved as in some well-known sanctuaries; it is, rather, a oral and written devotional memory in modern testimonies.

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The image and the sanctuary

The image of Our Lady of the Milk and the Good Party which is currently being venerated in the chapel of the Mission Name of God es una relatively small size imagewho represents the Virgin Mary sitting, breastfeeding the Child Jesus, following the traditional icon of the "Virgin of Milk" (or Maria lactans). The iconography highlights the royal motherhood of Mary and the humanity of Christ, highlighting the tenderness and closeness of the Holy Family. The sources available indicate that this is a replica of the original old rustic image; the type of wood and the author are not certain.

The sanctuary is located within the historical enclosure of the Mission Name of God in the old town of San Agustín (Florida, USA). There the chapel or chapel of Our Lady of Milk and of the Good Party, small and simple, surrounded by a wide mystical field with other significant elements (monumental crosses, museums and prayer spaces). Various pastoral and devotional sources refer to this place as “National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios”, recognized as National Sanctuary in the context of the Church in the United States.

It does not know that the temple has the title of minor basilica; if you designate it mainly como National sanctuary and place of Marian pilgrimage. The whole of the Mission Name of God is also an important historical and heritage site, visited by both pilgrims and tourists interested in the first Catholic presence in what is today the United States.

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Sponsorship and coronation

La advocación de Our Lady of the Milk and the Good Party is especially invoked as Pattern of maternityof pregnant women and families who want children or are in difficult situations related to pregnancy and birth. At the local level, the Virgin of Milk is also a protection sign for the diocese of San Agustín (Florida)which has in the Mission the Name of God one of its most significant spiritual centers.

At the national level, it is recognized as first Marian santuary of the United Statesand their patronage is broadly associated with the defence of the born life and the protection of mothers. However, there is no formal declaration establishing it as the principal patron of the nation, beyond the pastoral and devotional recognition of its importance.

On the canonical coronationin 2021 the sanctuary lived a pontific coronation of the historic image of Our Lady of the Milk and the Good Party, celebrated on behalf of the Pope by a Cardinal delegate. This coronation, officially recognized, underlines the relevance of the advocation and the continuity of devotion over the centuries. Therefore, in this case a documented canonical coronation.

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Party and devotion

The devotional sources in Spanish point out that the memory of Our Lady of the Milk and the Good Party in some publications, the 16 December, associating it with similar titles as "Our Lady of the Happy Party." However, the specific liturgical date the sanctuary of Saint Augustine can vary according to the particular calendar of the diocese and does not appear unified in all the sources consulted; therefore, with regard to a official date universally recognized, does not clearly.

En la Mission Name of God - National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Milkthe strong point of devotion is expressed in the pilgrimages of mothers and families who come all year round to ask for the grace of motherhood, a serene pregnancy or a happy birth, as well as to thank births and favors received. It is explicitly mentioned that "Thousands of mothers come every year" to the sanctuary, this indicates a significant afluencia.

Between the Devotional features The following are highlighted:

– La presentación de intentions for pregnancy and children ante la imagen de la Virgen. – La costumbre de dejar testimonies and exvotes en acción de gracias por partos felices y nacimientos. – Celebraciones marianas especiales a lo largo del año, incluyendo procesiones y momentos de oración por la vida y la familia, particularmente relevantes en la pastoral pro‑vida.

The devotion is not limited to the area, but has spread among Hispanic and Catholic communities in other places, which see in this sanctuary a Marian reference of trust in Mary's motherhood.

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Link to the Rosary

No consta una exclusive or specific practice which uniquely links the advocation of Our Lady of the Milk and the Good Party to a way of praying the Rosary different from the general Marian tradition. In the sanctuary the Holy Rosary as in other Marian shrines, especially in favour of mothers, unborn children and families.

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