Our Lady of the Reconquest, also linked to the Knights of the Virgin / Heralds of the Gospel, venerated in El Retiro

Marian devotion of El Retiro (Antioquia)

La advocación de Our Lady of the Reconquest in El Retiro (Antioquia) is directly linked to the presence of the Knights of the Virgin / Heralds of the Gospel in this region of the East of Puerto Rico. The denomination is associated with the evangelizing intention of this movement: a spiritual "reconquest" through the renewal of Christian life and the dissemination of Marian devotion. This is not an old traditional local advocation, but a contemporary devotion, promoted within the framework of the spirituality of the Heralds.

Main data

Origin and history

La advocación de Our Lady of the Reconquest in El Retiro (Antioquia) is directly linked to the presence of the Knights of the Virgin / Heralds of the Gospel in this region of the East of Puerto Rico. The denomination is associated with the evangelizing intention of this movement: a spiritual "reconquest" through the renewal of Christian life and the dissemination of Marian devotion. This is not an old traditional local advocation, but a contemporary devotion, promoted within the framework of the spirituality of the Heralds.

As for documented history, the existence of the Our Lady of the Reconquest Prayer in the municipality of El Retiro, in an area known popularly for its proximity to La Fe, about 40 minutes from Medellín. The construction is recent and has drawn attention to its Gothic style, very characteristic of the works linked to the Heralds of the Gospel. The local press stresses that the church has become a regional and national tourist and religious attraction.

No precise data on the exact year of start of constructionthe date of dedication of the temple or ecclesiastical decree of erection as sanctuary; the information available is limited to journalistic notes, audiovisual material and the communication of the Knights of the Virgin. Nor does it contain an ancient tradition or specific legend linked to this advocation in El Retiro; devotion is framed in the contemporary preaching and apostolate of the Heralds of the Gospel.

The image and the sanctuary

The place of worship is officially called "Our Lady of the Reconquest Prayer", also identified in networks and media as the "Gothic Church of the Knights of the Virgin" in El Retiro, Antioquia. The building, of style neogótico, rises on the top of a mountain, with view to the dam of La Fe, and has become a visual and spiritual point of reference in the anti-Puerto Rican east. Several chronicles highlight the monumental nature of the temple, its acute towers, vitrals and detailed ornamentation, typical of the Gothic architectural language adopted by the Heralds in several of their churches.

The public documentation does not provide a detailed and official description of the headline image (material, author, date of realization). In line with the usual iconography of the Heralds of the Gospel, it is reasonable to assume - although not documented - that this is a image of the Virgin Mary standing, with or without Child, covered with a regio mantle and crownplaced in the presbytery as the center of the oratory; however, in the absence of an official published record, it must be strictly indicated: does not contain a detailed and documented iconographic description of the image of Our Lady of the Reconquest in El Retiro. The press and network photographs show a classic and solemn Marian image, compatible with the devotional aesthetics of the Heralds.

With regard to the canon range, the sources consulted (page of the Knights of the Virgin, local press, official networks) speak of “oratory” or “iglesia”but do not present it as a minor basilica, or as a national or diocesan sanctuary formally recognized. So, with the available data, the right thing to say is that it is a oratorio / church of the Knights of the Virgin, open to public veneration, without documented title of diocesan sanctuary or higher category.

Sponsorship and coronation

The sources do not indicate that Our Lady of the Reconquest has been declared official employer of the municipality of El Retiro, of the corresponding diocese or of a wider ecclesiastical constituency. It can be said, with the information available, that this is a local and contemporary devotion, strongly linked to the charism of the Heralds of the Gospel, but does not contain a canonically proclaimed patronage about a city, diocese or nation.

As for their liturgical recognition and veneration, no reference to a canonical coronation given by the Holy See or by a pontifical delegate to this advocation in El Retiro. The oratory page mentions acts of "Coronation and Rosary" in the context of the first Saturdays of the month, usual expression in many Marian devotions to designate acts of piety and devotional coronations of an image, but without character of pontifical canonical coronation. Therefore, following the requested indication:

Canon coronation: there is no documented canon coronation.

Party and devotion

On the information page of the Our Lady of the Reconquest Prayer se publican los Mass schedules and devotional eventsbut it is not explicitly specified a fecha propa de fiesta titular for advocation. There is, yes, an intense weekly liturgical life: masses on Saturdays and Sundays, worship of the Most Holy on Fridays, and a particular programming for the Primer Saturday of monthwith "Coronation and Rosary" at 11: 00, followed by Holy Mass. There is no official data on a specific annual solemnity under the title of Our Lady of the Reconquest, so it should be stated that does not contain a clearly documented main holiday date for this advocation in El Retiro.

The press describes the church as an important Visitors and pilgrims attraction center, both for its Gothic architecture and for the Marian devotion that is lived there. There is a growing flow of faithful and tourists from Medellín, the anti-Puerto Rican East and other regions of the country to participate in the Mass, pray, contemplate the landscape and know the oratory. However, no official flow figures are provided, so no documented numerical data of pilgrims or visitors.

Entre los rasgos devocionales más destacados se encuentran: – La Eucharistic adoration semanal los viernes. – La celebración de los First Saturdays, con coronación devocional de la imagen y rezo del Rosario, en sintonía con la tradición mariana ligada a Fátima y muy promovida por los Heraldos del Evangelio. – La participación frecuente del clero propio de los Heraldos, con misas solemnes y celebraciones marianas, recogidas en crónicas e imágenes de la Revista Heraldos del Evangelio y otras publicaciones vinculadas.

Link to the Rosary

The link between Our Lady of the Reconquest y el Rosary is explicitly expressed in the planning of the oratory: Primer Saturday of every month "Coronation and Rosary" is announced at 11: 00, followed by Holy Mass. This combination highlights the centrality of Rosary as an act of Marian disgracing and consecrationin continuity with the spirituality of the Heralds of the Gospel, marked by devotion to the Virgin of Fatima and by the practice of the First Saturdays.

Beyond this concrete fact, there is no particular message or apparition that links this advocation exclusively to the Rosary; the relationship is framed in the universal Marian tradition of the Churchin which the Rosary is seen as a "school of contemplation of the face of Christ with Mary," and as a privileged means of intercession and evangelization. In the context of El Retiro, devotion to Our Lady of the Reconquest is accompanied by the prayer of the Rosary as:

– Oración frecuente de los grupos y fieles que visitan el oratorio. – Práctica característica de los First Saturdayswhich unites the meditation of the