Our Lady of Mercy

Marian dedication of Porto Nacional (Tocantins)

En la Universal Church, la advocación de Our Lady of the Merced or Mercedes is historically linked to the foundation of the Order of the Market in the 13th century, in Barcelona, under the inspiration of St Peter Nolasco, with a spirituality focused on the mercy and the redemption of captives. This merchant tradition was then spread throughout Spain and in much of Latin America, giving rise to many local patterns.

Main data

Origin and history

En la Universal Church, la advocación de Our Lady of the Merced or Mercedes is historically linked to the foundation of the Order of the Market in the 13th century, in Barcelona, under the inspiration of St Peter Nolasco, with a spirituality focused on the mercy and the redemption of captives. This merchant tradition was then spread throughout Spain and in much of Latin America, giving rise to many local patterns.

As for the specific documented history of Porto Nacional (Tocantins, Brazil):: Various historical and ecclesial sources point to the existence of an ancient diocese of Porto Nacional erected in 1915, located in the current state of Tocantins, Brazil, with a cathedral dedicated to Our Lady of the Mercedes; however, in the sources consulted online do not contain in an accessible way precise chronological details about the establishment of the local cult to this advocation, nor ancient chronicles of the sanctuary, nor narrations of the foundation of the temple that can be safely cited.

As to the location indicated as "Porto Nacional, Department of Tocantins, Colombia", there is no department called Tocantins in the present territorial organization of Colombia, nor is a municipality called Porto Nacional in Colombia located in the usual geographical sources and in the ecclesial documentation available online. It should therefore be considered that there is a geographical confusion in the location data. The existence of a Colombian diocese built in 1915 with the cathedral of Nossa Senhora das Mercês in a city called Porto Nacional is not recorded.

Given the above, it is not possible to offer a detailed local history of this advocation in a Colombian National Porto without incurring unverified assumptions. Any more concrete information about founders, parish priests, proponent bishops or historical events of the sanctuary, no consta in the sources consulted and cannot be strictly affirmed.

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The image and the sanctuary

In the absence of an official source of bishopric or cathedral accessible online that describes the headline image of Nossa Senhora das Mercês in Porto Nacional, no consta with certainty the exact type of image (size of round package, relief, oil, etc.), its material (wood, plaster, terracotta, canvas) and its specific iconographic features (position of the hands, presence of the Child, merchant symbols, etc.).

In general, in the commercial field, the traditional iconography of Our Lady of Mercy represents it as a Virgin crowned, covered with white and scapular habitsometimes with a layer and with a merchant shield, sometimes holding broken chains or the keys to the prison, stressing its character as Mother of mercy and liberating. However, it cannot be assured that the venerated image in Porto Nacional corresponds exactly to this iconography, because it does not have a verifiable official description.

As regards sanctuary or templethe following can only be said in general terms:

– Llevaría el título de Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy por ser la iglesia madre de la diócesis (erigida en 1915, según la información facilitada en la consulta), pero sin disponer de una descripción arquitectónica precisa ni de confirmación de su rango actual (por ejemplo, si ha sido erigida como basílica menor, santuario diocesano, etc.); – No consta, en las fuentes consultadas, una declaración formal del templo como "national sanctuary" or other pontifical titles, so such dignity cannot be attributed without express documentation.

Therefore, beyond the name of the temple and its character as a diocesan cathedral as given, no constan verifiable data on architectural style, exact age of the building, restorations, dimensions or outstanding artistic goods.

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Sponsorship and coronation

In the general framework of merchant devotion, Our Lady of Mercy It has numerous patronings in different countries (cities, dioceses, armed forces, prison institutions, etc.). Among them, some sources point to national (for example, in the Dominican Republic) and local patronings in several Latin American dioceses.

However, in the specific case presented:

– Patronazgo de Porto Nacional (Tocantins, Brazil): the consultation indicates that Nossa Senhora das Mercês is patron of the city and holder of the diocese erected in 1915, but this data has not been confirmed in official diocesan sources accessible online. Without such verification, it should be strictly said: is not documented in the sources consulted el decreto de patronazgo ni su fecha. – Sponsorship at the diocese level: According to the information provided by the consultation (diocese erected in 1915 with this Marian title), it can be assumed that the Virgin under this title is the holder of the cathedral and, by extension, the patron of the diocese; but, by not having access to an official document (bull, decree or diocesan statute), it cannot be affirmed with absolute certainty. Therefore: is not documented en las fuentes consultadas. – Canon coronation: in the usual repertories of canonical coronations and in the available digital Catholic press, not found a clear and reliable reference to a canonical coronation of the image of Nossa Senhora das Mercês de Porto Nacional by Pontifical mandate or delegation of the Holy See. In accordance with the rules requested, the following should be indicated: "there is no documented canonical coronation."

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Party and devotion

La liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Merced / Mercedes is traditionally celebrated the September 24 in many countries of Hispanic and merchant tradition; this date is well established in popular devotion and in various particular calendars. The information provided in the consultation indicates that this is also the date of the main feast in Porto Nacional: this data is consistent with the general praxis in the mercedary devotion.

On the concrete expressions of devotion in Porto Nacional (processions, novenas, pilgrimages, promises, own songs, number of faithful, etc.), no constan detailed descriptions verifiable in the sources consulted. With the available data it is not possible to describe with rigour:

– si existe una great diocesan pilgrimage o regional en torno al 24 de septiembre; – si la fiesta incluye procesión por las calles, novenario previo, romerías rurales o actos cívico-religiosos; – cifras de participación o tradiciones populares específicas (por ejemplo, costumbres de vestir a la imagen, ofrendas de exvotos, bendición de reclusos, campesinos, etc.).

It can therefore be said only that the September 24 is the usual date of celebration of the advocation of Our Lady of the Mercedes in the Church, and that, according to the information of the consultation, this date would also be the main party of the patron in Porto Nacional; but they cannot be specified local features of devotion for lack of accessible documentation.

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Link to the Rosary

The documentation consulted does not contain a specific and locally documented relationship between the advocation of Our Lady of Mercy of National Port and a particular brotherhood, movement or practice of Holy Rosary (for example, an archcofradia of the Rosary erected in that cathedral, its own indulgences, etc.). It should therefore be clearly stated: there is no particular and documented rosarian link for this advocation in Porto Nacional.