Our Lady of the Snow of Aspe

Marian Advocation of Aspe (Comunitat Valenciana)

Our Lady of the Snow -La Serranica- is the patron of Aspe and Hondon de las Nieves, two municipalities of the Vinalopó that share this advocation for a joint patronage agreement dated 1848. This fact is unique in Alicantine Marian devotion: two municipalities formalized their common veneration to the same image. The advocation of the Nieves, linked liturgically to August 5, was adopted in areas of Spanish Christian repopulation. In 2018Pope Francis granted a Jubilee Year to the sanctuary on the occasion of the sixth centenary of devotion, recognition that attests to the ancient veneration and its appreciation by the Holy See.

Main data

Origin and history

Our Lady of the Snow -La Serranica- is the patron of Aspe and Hondon de las Nieves, two municipalities of the Vinalopó that share this advocation for a joint patronage agreement dated 1848. This fact is unique in Alicantine Marian devotion: two municipalities formalized their common veneration to the same image. The advocation of the Nieves, linked liturgically to August 5, was adopted in areas of Spanish Christian repopulation. In 2018Pope Francis granted a Jubilee Year to the sanctuary on the occasion of the sixth centenary of devotion, recognition that attests to the ancient veneration and its appreciation by the Holy See.

Image and sanctuary

El Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Snow is located in the saw that separates the term of Hondon from the Nieves from that of Crevillent, in a mountain area that gives meaning to the appellant La Serranica. It is a place of annual pilgrimage for devotees of both municipalities.

Canonical coronation: 1956 (exact date to be verified).

Sponsorship and coronation

Shared Patron of Aspe and Hondon of the Snow (1848 agreement). Canonically crowned in 1956. In 2018, Pope Francis granted the Jubilee Year to the sanctuary.

Party and devotion

The main holiday is held on 5 Auguston the day of Our Lady of the Snow in the universal liturgical calendar, with the joint pilgrimage of Aspe and Hondon of the Snow to the sanctuary.

Link to the Rosary

The shrine of La Serranicabecause of its popular pilgrimage, it has always been a privileged place for the prayer of the Rosary during the annual romanies.