Our Lady of Mercy

Patron saint of Barcelona

Our Lady of Mercy (Mare de Déu de la Mercè) is one of Barcelona's most important Marian devotions. Historically, the devotion is linked to the Order of Mercy and the city itself; the current image is associated with the Barcelona basilica and the consolidation of its civic-religious festival. It is, therefore, a devotion with deep historical roots, well established in the life of the city.

Main data

Origin and history

Our Lady of Mercy (Mare de Déu de la Mercè) is one of Barcelona's most important Marian devotions. Historically, the devotion is linked to the Order of Mercy and the city itself; the current image is associated with the Barcelona basilica and the consolidation of its civic-religious festival. It is, therefore, a devotion with deep historical roots, well established in the life of the city.

The image and the sanctuary

The image is venerated in the Basilica of La Mercè (Santuari de la Mercè), in the city of Barcelona. The church is the center of devotion to this Marian image, which is deeply intertwined with the city's history and the identity of its people.

Patronage and coronation

She is the patron saint of Barcelona. The canonical coronation of the Barcelona image is a widely recognized fact, but the exact date is not verified with certainty in the sources consulted here, so the specific year is not recorded.

Celebration and devotion

The festival is celebrated on September 24th. La Mercè is one of Barcelona's major celebrations, where Marian devotion intertwines with the city's main festival and its collective identity.

Link with the Rosary

No specific link between this devotion and the Rosary is found in the sources consulted.