Our Lady of the Mercedes de Nátaga

Marian Invocation of Nátaga (Huila)

According to the local tradition, la devoción a Our Lady of the Mercedes de Nátaga it dates back to the 17th century, when an image of the Virgin of the Merced would have arrived in the region and aroused a strong movement of faith among the inhabitants, giving origin to the sanctuary in the midst of the mountains of the Huila. The legend speaks of a place chosen providentially by the Virgin, whose presence would have protected the inhabitants and attracted pilgrims from all over the region; these stories are transmitted orally and in divulgative publications, without any detailed original documents of that first foundational moment.

Main data

Origin and history

According to the local tradition, la devoción a Our Lady of the Mercedes de Nátaga it dates back to the 17th century, when an image of the Virgin of the Merced would have arrived in the region and aroused a strong movement of faith among the inhabitants, giving origin to the sanctuary in the midst of the mountains of the Huila. The legend speaks of a place chosen providentially by the Virgin, whose presence would have protected the inhabitants and attracted pilgrims from all over the region; these stories are transmitted orally and in divulgative publications, without any detailed original documents of that first foundational moment.

As for the documented historythe tourist and ecclesial sources point out that the cult organized around the image was consolidated and, over time, led to the building of the present sanctuary, one of the largest religious constructions of the department of the Huila. The data of that, from the year 1904the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Mercedes of Nátaga is attended and administered by the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian Fathers or Lazarists), service that is maintained until today. They do not contain, in the sources consulted, exact and documented dates of the first establishment of the image on the site.

The image and the sanctuary

The sources consulted describe the venerated image as the Virgin of the Mercedes under the traditional iconography of this advocation: Mary covered as Our Lady of the Merced or Mercedes, associated in Catholic piety to the mercy and liberation of the captives. However, the accessible documents do not accurately state the material, la height no technical details of the size (wood, plaster, etc.), so these data are considered "not recorded" in a strict sense. Graphically, the photographs and divulgative materials show the Virgin in a welcoming attitude, ornada with rich blankets and crowns, according to the tradition of the Marian shrines of the region.

The place of worship is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Mercedes of Nátaga, considered one of the largest religious temples in the Huila department, designed in the form of cruz latina. It is located in an elevation of the Central Andes Cordillera, a 1,480 meters highon the border between the departments of Huila and Cauca, which reinforces its character as a pilgrimage sanctuary on the mountain. The local and tourist sources refer to him as "sanctuary," and some media even mention him as "basilica," but no constain the documents consulted, a pontifical decree declaring it minor basilica ni sanctuary nacional; if drawn, with certainty, of a Marian sanctuary of diocesan/regional ambition taken care of by the Vincentian Fathers.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of the Mercedes of Nátaga is recognized as a Marian reference center for all the Huila department, officially described as one of the main destinations of religious tourism in the region. The Government of the Huila has enjoined the Virgin of the Mercedes of Nátaga as employer of the Governmentwith the explicit purpose of putting the projects of the departmental government under his protection. This confirms a Department-wide patronageat least at the civil and institutional level. No documents were found explicitly declaring a formal diocesan canonical patronage (by ecclesiastical decree), so this point is considered "not to be."

In relation to the canonical coronationthe sources consulted (Catholic press, official portals and religious tourism) do not mention any canonical coronation formally decreed by the Holy See neither by pontifical delegation, nor provide secure data for the year, decree or coronating authority. Therefore, from a strictly documentary point of view, does not contain a documented canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady of the Mercedes of Nátaga.

Party and devotion

La main party of Our Lady of the Mercedes of Nátaga is celebrated the September 24in line with the liturgical festivity of the Virgin of the Merced throughout the Church. In the sanctuary the on September 23 y el day with solemn mass on September 24in the midst of many pilgrimages and expressions of popular devotion. From 2006 it is offered Daily Eucharist at 11 a.m. by the intentions of the pilgrims, which reinforces their character as an open sanctuary all year round.

As for the influx of the faithful, the Government of the Huila indicates that the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Mercedes of Nátaga arrive approximately 300,000 pilgrims per year40% of them come in September on the occasion of the patron party, 10% on Easter and the rest throughout the year. Devotion presents very characteristic features: the Virgin is invoked in a special way as protection of prisoners and persons deprived of their liberty, in line with the merchant tradition of interceding for the captives. It also highlights confidence in the mercy and protection to the dangers, diseases and family needs, which explains the strong Marian identity of the municipality of Nátaga and of the whole region. Patronal parties include solemn processions, outdoor liturgical acts in the square and cultural manifestations associated with popular religiosity.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted do not describe a specific and unique practice of the Rosary the advocation that distinguishes it from other Marian shrines, beyond the common expressions of Marian piety (novenas, processions and Eucharist). Therefore, no consta a particular rite of the exclusive Rosary of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Mercedes of Nátaga.

However, as in most santuarios mariana, el Rosary It naturally accompanies devotion to Our Lady of the Mercedes: the contemplation of the mysteries of Christ in the company of Mary tunes with the liberating and merciful character of this advocation, which intercede for those who suffer various forms of captivity, physical or spiritual. The prayer of the Rosary, especially around September 24 and on the pilgrimages, is understood as a way of Intercession, conversion and subsidiary trust in the Virgin, integrating the merchant tradition of mercy with the rosarian spirituality of the Church.