Virgin of Loreto

Marian Advocation of Loreto (Marks)

En la Virgin of Loreto venerated in Colombia is recognized the same advocation that emerged in the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loretoin the region of the Marches (Italy), spiritually linked to the house of the Holy Family in Nazareth. The universal liturgical feast is celebrated 10 December.

Main data

Origin and history

En la Virgin of Loreto venerated in Colombia is recognized the same advocation that emerged in the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loretoin the region of the Marches (Italy), spiritually linked to the house of the Holy Family in Nazareth. The universal liturgical feast is celebrated 10 December.

Tradition / legend: According to the Lauretana tradition, on the night of 9-10 December 1294 la Holy House of Nazareth It would have been moved by the angels from Palestine to Loreto in Italy, "elevated over the Mediterranean Sea and taken to the forests of Loreto." This same tradition explains that, as a house "transported by air," the Virgin of Loreto was later recognized as a patron of aviation and air travelers.

Documented history: The historical studies indicate that the transfer of the stones of the house would have been carried out by human means, probably by the noble family "Angeli" (Angels) of Epirus, whose movements and donations to Loreto are documented in the 13th century, although the exact form of transport is still under study. The devotion to the Virgin of Loreto is already attested in the 15th century: 1470The pope. Pablo II He liturgical authorized the commemoration of the Virgin "carried by the angels to Loreto" in a house without foundation, "miraculously founded."

En Colombiathe advocation of the Virgin of Loreto is spread in a special way between the aviation, being recognized as patron of the Colombian Air Force. For the town of Loreto (Meta Department) - which seems to be the "Loreto" referred to in Colombian devotion - no specific official documentation has been found on the historical origin of the local sanctuary or on a concrete transfer of devotion; therefore, on the precise emergence of veneration in that place. no consta documented information from the sources consulted.

The image and the sanctuary

In the Italian pontifical sanctuary, the most characteristic image is the “Virgen Lauretana”, a size of the Virgin with the Child associated with the Holy House, traditionally represented standing, with a robe and mantle richly decorated, crowned and with the Child Jesus in arms; it is a type image throne of wisdom, strongly stylized, although the current sculpture is a post-fire replacement image (stylistic details described in the general Lauretana literature).

However, for the concrete image venerated in Guaviare, Colombia no consta in the sources consulted a safe description of their type, material ni iconografía detallada (posture, colors, attributes, etc.). Given the character derived from devotion, it is likely that it is an image inspired by the Lauretana iconography - Virgin with Child, in the attitude of Mother of the Holy Family - but no documented hay datos that allow it to be described rigorously.

As regards temple or sanctuary of the Virgin of Loreto in Loreto (Colombia), the accessible sources (pages of the Lauretana devotion, Wikipedia on the advocation, general Catholic press notes and official networks) do not provide specific information on:

– Nombre oficial del templo (si es “Santuario”, “Parroquia” u otra denominación jurídica). – Condición de minor basilica, National sanctuary o diocesan sanctuary. – Características arquitectónicas concretas.

So, on these points, no consta safely documented information from the sources consulted. It can be said, at the universal level, that the main center of devotion is the Basilica of the Holy House of Loreto in Italy, described as the "heart of devotion to Our Lady of Loreto from the Middle Ages."

Sponsorship and coronation

La Virgin of Loreto was proclaimed by the Pope Benedict XV how Main pattern of all aircraft and aviation en el decreto de 24 March 1920extending its patronage to all air passengers and to aeronautics. From this decree, many countries and air forces adopted it as their patron. In case of Colombiathe Virgin of Loreto is recognized as patron of the Colombian Air Force.

In relation to a specific patronage about the city or municipality of Loreto (Colombia)on the corresponding diocese or on the department, no consta in the sources consulted an official statement documented beyond the general patronage on aviation in the country.

On a canonical coronation of the image of the Virgin of Loreto venerated in Loreto (Colombia), the available sources (including general information of the advocation, papal decrees on patronage and dissemination of devotion) do not mention any specific canonical coronation for this local image. Therefore, according to the available data, does not contain a documented canonical coronation for the image of Loreto in Colombia.

Party and devotion

La fiesta litúrgica principal of the Virgin of Loreto in the universal Church is celebrated the 10 December, date associated with the memory of the transfer of the Holy House to Loreto. This date is also celebrated in countries of Laurean tradition and in the air forces that have it as their patron.

Several sources point out that December 10 is the day of solemn celebrations in the bases and aviation units: masses, processions, acts of consecration and tributes, especially in the air bodies. It is reasonable to say that in Colombia, where the Virgin of Loreto is patron of the Colombian Air Force, the devotion is expressed particularly in aeronautical environments, with Eucharist, acts of commission of the crews and institutional ceremonies, although the sources consulted do not detail the own program of Loreto (Colombia).

No reliable statistical information on inflow of pilgrims or concrete numbers of faithful at the Loreto shrine in Colombia; therefore, on concrete figures and characteristics of local pilgrimages no consta documented data. At the spiritual level, laurethane devotion is characterized by:

– La contemplación de la Santa Casa como símbolo del hogar cristiano y de la vida oculta de Jesús, María y José. – La confianza en la protection of the Virgin about those who travel by air and those who live their vocation in the world of aviation.

Link to the Rosary

The historical and devotional sources consulted do not indicate a specific relationship or particular practice of the Rosary its own and distinctive Virgin of Loreto in its Colombian sanctuary. The advocation focuses first and foremost on the sign of the Casa de Nazaret and in the patronage on the aviation and aeronauts. Therefore, no consta a unique official link between this advocation and a special form of prayer of the Rosary.

However, in the Marian spirituality of the Church, the Rosary It is recognized as contemplative prayer that goes through the mysteries of Christ's life with Mary. In the context of the Virgin of Loreto, the Rosary helps:

– Meditar los joyful mysteries, íntimamente ligados a la vida de la Sagrada Familia en la casa de Nazaret que la tradición asocia al santuario de Loreto. – Confiar a la Virgen lauretana los viajes, las misiones y el trabajo cotidiano, especialmente de quienes se dedican a la aviation, pidiendo su protección en cada “despegue” y “aterrizaje” espiritual y material. – Vivir, a ejemplo de María en la Santa Casa, an incarnate faith in him