Our Lady of Mercy of Almendralejo

Marian Advocation of Almendraejo (Extremadura)
Recognized by the Church

Our Lady of Mercy es la patrona de Almond (Badajoz), in the Land of Barros. According to tradition, the image was hallada en 1507 by a farmer who, digging with his plow, heard a voice crying out. "Pity, mercy!"When he discovered the place, he found an image of the Virgin, which he gave to the parish priest. From that finding was born the devotion that over the centuries became patronal.

Main data

Origin and history

Our Lady of Mercy es la patrona de Almond (Badajoz), in the Land of Barros. According to tradition, the image was hallada en 1507 by a farmer who, digging with his plow, heard a voice crying out. "Pity, mercy!"When he discovered the place, he found an image of the Virgin, which he gave to the parish priest. From that finding was born the devotion that over the centuries became patronal.

The image and the sanctuary

Se venera en su Shrine of the Piety, to which each year goes down and ascends the image in multitudinary procession. On the precise dating and authorship of the size there is no detailed critical documentation; the truth is his continued veneration as a patron since the Modern Age.

Sponsorship and coronation

Es Patron of Almendralejo since 1657. The villa named her alcaldesa perpetua en 1987, y su canonical coronation took place on 19 May 2007. It is one of the most fervent Marian devotions on the Land of Barros.

Party and devotion

Their employers' parties revolve around the bajada y subida of the Virgin between her sanctuary and the people, with a nocturnal offering and procession that bring together all the people. The devotion to the Piety is very linked to the life of the Almond-speaking families, who entrust their sorrows and joys.

Link to the Rosary

That voice that cried out for "mercy" resounds in every Hail Mary: the Rosary is the trusting plea of a child asking the Mother for mercy and protection. Before Our Lady of Mercy, praying the Rosary is placing the cry of one's own heart in her hands, certain of being heard.