Our Lady of the Merced of Guayaquil, venerated in the church of La Merced of the historic centre of Guayaquil

Marian vocation of Guayaquil (Guayas)

Documented history

Main data

Origin and history

Documented history

The devotion to the Virgin of the Merced comes from the Order of the Market, founded in 1218 by Peter Nolasco for the redemption of captives. This advocation was widely spread in the Hispanic world and its liturgical feast was extended to the whole Church. September 24 by Pope Innocent XII in 1696.

In Guayaquil, the merchant presence dates back to colonial times. The current Basilica of Our Lady of the Merced (Guayaquil) is the heir of a first merchant establishment in the old city, already in colonial times, dedicated to the advocation of the Merced. The tradition of the Virgin as patron and queen of Guayaquilas well as patron of the Ecuadorian coast, it appears collected in ecclesial sources and contemporary Catholic outreach.

Today, the Archdiocese of Guayaquil officially presents Our Lady of the Merced as patron of the Archdiocese and the Ecuadorian coast, which confirms the continuity of the commercial patronage over the city and its surroundings.

Tradition / Legend

Merchant spirituality, focused on the mercy and the liberation of the captives, has been read devotionally in Guayaquil as the special protection of the Virgin from dangers, conflicts and social needs, in parallel to what happens with the Merced in other places of Ecuador (for example, the Virgin of the Merced of Quito, linked to historical events and titles such as "Patroness and Protector of the Republic" and the Armed Forces).

In the specific case of Guayaquil, the sources consulted do not collect a specific foundational legend (apparition, original miracle or concrete account) linked to the venerated image in the basilica, but rather a tradition of continuous protection of the Virgin over the city, which has been consolidating its patronage. It does not contain, in the verified sources, a legendary narrative of its own and unique for this local advocation.

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The image and the sanctuary

The image

The available sources do not describe the typology, material or author of the main image of Our Lady of the Merced that is venerated in the Basilica of Guayaquil. There is no detailed iconographic record (height, wood / polychrome, century, authorship).

Sí consta, a nivel general, que la Commercial iconography usually represent the Virgin standing, bearing the white habit and the merchant scapularsometimes with the Child Jesus in his arms, and with attributes of mercy and redemption of captives. However, it cannot be said rigorously that all these features are present as in the specific image of Guayaquil, since there is no specific description in the sources consulted; therefore, in respect of this image it must be said: does not contain a detailed and documented iconographic description.

The sanctuary / temple

The image is venerated in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mercedlocated in the historic centre of Guayaquil. This temple is also known as church of La Merced and belongs to the Order of the Market, heir to an old colonial-era merchant convent.

The current building is recognized as basilica (minor basilica title), according to the name of the encyclopedic reference itself: Basilica of Our Lady of the Merced (Guayaquil). It is an urban temple of great historical and devotional relevance to the city, although the sources consulted do not develop in detail its architectural style (Gothic, neoclassical, etc.) or the exact stages of its construction; these specific data no constan in the verified sources.

The basilica works like parroquia La Merced of Guayaquil, constituted as an important center of liturgical, sacramental and Marian life, and focus of devotion to the Virgin of the Merced in the archdiocese.

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Sponsorship and coronation

Patronage

According to ecclesial and Catholic sources, Our Lady of the Merced is:

– Patroness and Queen of the city of Guayaquil. – Patronage of the Ecuadorian litoral. – Presentada oficialmente como patron of the Archdiocese of Guayaquil.

These titles are included in both general lists of patronings of the Virgin of the Merced and in publications of the archdiocese itself.

Canonical coronation

In the sources consulted (lists of patronings, articles of popular mariology, notes of the archdiocese) does not contain a documented canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady of the Merced of Guayaquil, with date, decree and pontifical delegate clearly identifiable.

Therefore, according to the criteria requested: does not contain a documented canonical coronation for this local invocation.

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Party and devotion

La litigation fiesta universal of Our Lady of the Market is celebrated the September 24which commemorates the foundation of the Merciful Order and which was extended to the whole Church in 1696 by Pope Innocent XII. This same date is celebrated with particular solemnity in Guayaquil as a great Marian day of the city and of the Ecuadorian coast.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil presents this feast as a celebration of its patron, highlighting the mercy and protection dimension of the Virgin. The parish / basilica of La Merced also spreads the devotion to the Virgin around this date, with liturgical celebrations and catechetical materials that remember the merchant origin of the advocation.

The available sources do not provide precise quantitative data on afluencia of the faithful (number of pilgrims, statistics) and do not describe in detail specific processions, novenas or rosters in Guayaquil; therefore, these specific aspects no constan in a documented way.

It can be said, on the basis of the importance of patronage and common practice in the merchant shrines, that September 24 is a central date of the pastoral life of the Basilica of La Merced and the archdiocese, with a particular emphasis on the Solemn Eucharistthe participation of ecclesial and civil authorities and the renewal of the offer of the city and the coast to the protection of the Virgin. This statement is based on the general practice of mercedary devotion, but the specific details of acts and times are not reflected in the sources consulted.

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Link to the Rosary

The specific sources on Our Lady of the Guayaquil Market do not document a unique and own relationship of this local invocation with the prayer of the Rosary (for example, historical co-fradies of the Rosary linked to this temple, particular promises, etc.); therefore, it should be indicated: does not contain a specific documented link with the Rosary for this image in Guayaquil.

However, Marian Merciful Spirituality, focused on mercy, intercession and