Virgin of Onil Health

Marian Invocation of Onil (Comunitat Valenciana)

The Virgin of Health -Salus Infirmorum, Salud de los Enfermos— es la patrona de Onil, municipio de L’Alcoià célebre por la fabricación de muñecas. El hecho fundacional de la devoción ocurrió el 22 April 1648: According to local documentation, five members of the Villa Council had similar dreams during an epidemic. A begging procession was organized on three occasions Salus InfirmorumAnd the sick were healed. The official patronage was recognized 7 December 1743 by Pope Benedict XIV through the apostolic bull. The original image was destroyed in the Civil War; the present is the work of the sculptor Pascual Sempere Sanchis, blessed in 1940.

Main data

Origin and history

The Virgin of Health -Salus Infirmorum, Salud de los Enfermos— es la patrona de Onil, municipio de L’Alcoià célebre por la fabricación de muñecas. El hecho fundacional de la devoción ocurrió el 22 April 1648: According to local documentation, five members of the Villa Council had similar dreams during an epidemic. A begging procession was organized on three occasions Salus InfirmorumAnd the sick were healed. The official patronage was recognized 7 December 1743 by Pope Benedict XIV through the apostolic bull. The original image was destroyed in the Civil War; the present is the work of the sculptor Pascual Sempere Sanchis, blessed in 1940.

Image and sanctuary

The image is venerated in the Hermitage of Health, en el paraje de les Eres, al oeste del casco urbano. El templo es lugar de peregrinación para los vecinos de Onil y localidades vecinas de L’Alcoià.

Canonical coronation: 23 April 1948.

Sponsorship and coronation

Patrona de Onil, with patronazgo pontificio (b. Benedicto XIV, 1743). Canonically crowned on April 23, 1948, chaired by the Archbishop of Valencia, Marcelino Olaechea Loizaga, on the occasion of the third centenary of the miracle of 1648.

Party and devotion

The parties of Moros and Christians are held at the 22 April-1 May, being the central devotional day of April 23, anniversary of the miracle of 1648.

Link to the Rosary

The devotion to the Virgin of Health in Onil includes the prayer of the Rosary, especially during the patron holidays and in October.