Our Lady of Mercedes Mercedes

Marian title of Mercedes (Buenos Aires)

La Virgin of the Merced or the Mercedes is a Marian advocation born in the context of the Order of the Market, founded in Barcelona in the 13th century for the purpose of the redemption of captives. This devotion was widely spread throughout Spain and, later, almost all of Latin America, where the Virgin of the Merced became the patron of many cities, nations and armed forces.

Main data

Origin and history

La Virgin of the Merced or the Mercedes is a Marian advocation born in the context of the Order of the Market, founded in Barcelona in the 13th century for the purpose of the redemption of captives. This devotion was widely spread throughout Spain and, later, almost all of Latin America, where the Virgin of the Merced became the patron of many cities, nations and armed forces.

As for a specific advocation under the title "Our Lady of Mercedes Mercedes" linked to the city of Mercedes in the so-called "department of Buenos Aires, Colombia," does not consist of accessible historical or ecclesial sources (encyclopedic bases, diocesan online documentation, Catholic press or repertory of advocations) a documented story of its own: there are no clear records of the foundation of the sanctuary, canonical erection of the temple as a cathedral, nor formal decrees that make it the patron of the city or that officially link the name of the city to this Marian advocation.

From the perspective of general merchant tradition, it is often the people called Mercedes (or similar) in countries of Hispanic heritage consider the Virgin of the Mercedes as patron and protector, celebrating their feast the September 24, date the Pope Inocencio XII extended to the whole Church in 1696. It may be assumed that something similar has happened in the area indicated, but in the absence of specific documents, it should be strictly stated: on a documented local history for this specific advocation.

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The image and the sanctuary

In classical iconography, the Virgen de la Merced / de las Mercedes is usually represented as a dress up image, dressed with white habit of the Order of the Market and, in many cases, with layer, scapular and sometimes broken chains, sign of the release of the captives. However, for the concrete image venerated in "Mercedes (department of Buenos Aires, Colombia)" there is no reliable description of its type (size, picture, painting), material (wood, plaster, etc.) or individual iconographic features (attributes, size, seniority).

No verifiable information on the specific temple where this advocation would be venerated under the title requested. It does not contain the official name of the temple (parish, sanctuary, cathedral), nor its canonical rank (minor basilica, national or diocesan sanctuary). Therefore, with the data currently available, it can only be stated that:

– No consta the documented existence of a catedral bajo la advocación de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes en esa localidad. – No consta an official declaration of the temple as a national or diocesan sanctuary.

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Sponsorship and coronation

La advocación de Our Lady of the Merced / Mercedes It has many patrons in the Hispanic world: it is a patron of cities, dioceses, armed forces and nations (for example, in the Dominican Republic, in several dioceses of Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, among other places). However, in particular:

– la city of Mercedes located in the call department of Buenos Aires, Colombia, – y el título preciso "Our Lady of Mercedes Mercedes",

no consta in the sources consulted an official recognition by ecclesiastical decree that proclaims it patron of the citynor documents of the local Church that indubably confirm this patronage.

On a canonical coronation of the image venerated in that locality:

– No documented canonical coronation for this specific advocation there are no references to a pontifical decree or to a coronation delegated by a representative of the Pope.

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Party and devotion

La universal liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Merced or Mercedes se celebra el September 24, date established for the entire Latin Church since 1696. Where the Virgin of the Mercedes is a patron, this date often becomes the center of the employers' partieswith solemn masses, processions, novenas, prayer vigil and religious-related acts.

In the case of the town (Mercedes, department of Buenos Aires, Colombia), No specific details on:

– organización de pilgrimages formales; – cifras de afluencia de fieles; – own popular traditions (promesas, danzas, procesiones fluviales, etc.); – estructuras estables de cofradías o hermandades bajo esta advocación.

According to the common experience of merchant devotion in Latin America, September 24 is often lived as a Patron party of the community, with ninth high school, prayer of the Rosary, solemn Eucharist and procession with the image of the Virgin; however, in historical rigour, for this city and this specific advocation must be indicated: there are no documented details about their local employers' parties.

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Link to the Rosary

In the Marian spirituality of the Church, the Virgen de la Merced / de las Mercedes is often associated with prayer for freedom (especially from the captives and oppressed) and to mercy. In many merchant communities and parishes under this title, the Rosary is a regular part of the preparation for his feast on 24 September, as well as of the novena and acts of reparation; however, for the specific advocation "Our Lady of Mercedes Mercedes (Department of Buenos Aires, Colombia)" does not contain a tradition of its own and documented which explicitly links this image to a Rosary fellowship, a particular rosary or a unique practice of this prayer.

From a general mariological perspective, the figure of Our Lady of Mercy is deeply harmonized with the Rosary:

– El Rosario, al meditar los misterios de la vida de Cristo junto a María, ayuda a contemplar la Dios's mercy que libera del pecado y de toda esclavitud interior. – La advocación de las Mercedes recuerda la “merced” or free gracia that God grants through Mary, so that the perseverant prayer of the Rosary can be lived as a supplication for liberation, conversion and protection, especially for those who suffer various forms of captivity (material or spiritual).

In the absence of specific local data, it can be strictly stated that the Rosary es una a privileged way to accompany and deepen devotion to Our Lady of the Mercedes, even if no conste for this advocation and this place a particular historical link with a rosarian fellowship or practice of its own.