Our Lady of the Lion Light, patron of Lion

Marian Advocation of León (Guanajuato)

La advocación de Our Lady of Light venerated in León (Guanajuato, Mexico) has its origin in the spiritual environment of the Jesuits in Palermo (Sicily)where an Marian image and invocation was spread under the title of Most Holy Mother of Light in the early 18th century. This image - an oil of palermitan origin - was taken to the time Villa de León el 2 July 1732 through the Jesuit parents, since then being linked to the religious history of the city.

Main data

Origin and history

La advocación de Our Lady of Light venerated in León (Guanajuato, Mexico) has its origin in the spiritual environment of the Jesuits in Palermo (Sicily)where an Marian image and invocation was spread under the title of Most Holy Mother of Light in the early 18th century. This image - an oil of palermitan origin - was taken to the time Villa de León el 2 July 1732 through the Jesuit parents, since then being linked to the religious history of the city.

According to the tradition and legendthe Virgin would have "chosen" the city of León by means of a draw made between several cities (mentioned Lyon, León of Spain and León of New Spain), being favored three times the Leoness villa of Mexico, which was interpreted as a providential sign for the image to remain there. This narrative, widely used in popular piety and the local press, belongs to the realm of devout legend; there is no critical documentation available to confirm the episode in the terms in which it is usually counted.

In the plan of the documented historythe image of Our Lady of Light was enthroned in the main temple of Lion, becoming titular de la Iglesia Catedral y posteriormente Patron of the Archdiocese of León. El 23 May 1849 was officially proclaimed patron of the city of Leónthanks to the efforts of the parish priest José Ignacio Aguado. Years later, the first bishop of Lion asked the Holy See to declare the Most Holy Mother of Light patron of the new dioceseThe Pope Pío IX granted the 19 September 1872.

The image and the sanctuary

Devotion focuses on a painting al oil representing the Virgin Mary under the title of Most Holy Mother of Light. This is a Jesuit image of palermitan originfrom the 18th century, in which the face of Mary is described by the sources as luminous and serene. The classical iconography of the Virgin of Light (Sicilian root) usually shows Mary holding the Child Jesus and rescuing a soul or sinner, an image of the grace that flows from spiritual dangers; however, the specific iconographic details of the picture preserved in Lion are described in general in local sources, without a comprehensive technical catalogue. The exact date of the performance of the canvas or the name of the painter, beyond its attribution to the Jesuit circle of Palermo, is not certain in the documentation consulted.

The image is venerated in the Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de la Madre Santísima de la Luz, en León, state of Guanajuato (Mexico), elevated to cathedral and basilica and considered center of devotion. The temple is popularly known as Catedral Basílica de León, neoclassical style with Baroque elements, and keeps the original picture inside as the main "treasure" of the sanctuary. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of León, and the Virgin of Light is there the owner of the temple and sign of the religious identity of the city.

(on a location in "León, department of Guanajuato, Colombia"in the sources consulted no official sanctuary or advocation of "Our Lady of the Light of Lion" with these characteristics in Colombia; the advocation described here corresponds with certainty to León, Guanajuato, Mexico.)

Sponsorship and coronation

En el ámbito del patronazgoOur Lady of Light is:

– Patron of the city of León (Guanajuato), proclaimed patron 23 May 1849. – Patron of the Diocese (now the Archdiocese) of Leónby the Pope's decree Pío IX del 19 September 1872.

The devotion also presents it as city protection against calamitiesespecially epidemics and climate problems; in the 19th century it was invoked against cholera plague and drought, attributed to its intercession relief and protection.

La canonical coronation is clearly documented: the Virgin of Light was solemnly crowned el 8 October 1902 by the Bishop Leopoldo Ruiz y Floresby virtue of the concession granted by the Pope Lion XIII el 23 March 1901. It is therefore an authentic canonical coronation, granted by the Holy See and executed by the diocesan bishop.

Party and devotion

Liturgically, the feast of the Most Holy Mother of Light in the Archdiocese of Leon is linked to the old date of the Visitation of the Virgin. La Holy Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship concedió el 8 June 1972 that, for the whole diocese, the feast of the Visitation continues to be celebrated 2 July as a solemnity. Thus, the 2 July was consolidated as the main date of Marian celebration around the Virgin of Light.

In local devotional practice, the festivities in honor of the Virgin of Light take place over several days, with Noviaries, processions, solemn masses and pilgrimages to the Basilica Cathedral. The local press and the Catholic media refer to the presence of miles de fieles to come to venerate her, especially in the time of her party, to ask for the city, the family, health and good weather. A well-established tradition invokes it in a particular way as intercessor by rain and cropsWhen there is drought, the faithful come to the Virgin of Light to ask for the gift of rain, recalling an old favor attributed to their intercession in a severe drought of the 19th century.

Popular devotion is expressed by visits to the table, lit of candles, prayers to the image and participation in the eucharisties of his feast. Over time, the Virgin of Light has become an identity sign of the city, to the point of being frequently called "patron and protector of León"in daily mercy.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted on Our Lady of Light in Lion do not explicitly mention a particular origin or practice of this advocation exclusively linked to prayer of the Rosary. For example, there is no specific Rosary fellowship associated with the painting or a canonical institution of "Rosary of Light" strictly linked to this sanctuary, beyond the usual practices of Marian piety in parishes and cathedrals.

However, as with most Marian shrines of Catholic tradition, the Rosary is part of the ordinary devotional itinerary of the faithful who come to the Virgin of Light: they pray in noviaries, vigil and pilgrimages, and accompanies the processions and celebrations of their feast. In classical Marian spirituality, the Rosary makes the mysteries of Christ's life with the eyes of Mary; applied to this advocation, helps to understand the Virgin of Light as the one who leads to Christ, illuminates the way of faith and protects in the moments of spiritual darkness.

So, even if there is no exclusive rosarian feature documented for this advocation, the Rosary