Marian devotion
Our Lady of Loreto of Santa Pola
Marian title of Santa Pola (Comunitat Valenciana)
Our Lady of Loreto is the patron of Santa Pola, coastal municipality of the Baix Vinalopó with important fishing tradition. The legend of origin, transmitted orally, places the fact in 1643: during a revolt in the south of Andalusia, a devout entrusted a Marian image to a fisherman to make it safe. The fisherman tried to sail three times from the port of Santa Pola, but the sea prevented him from leaving. Understanding that the Virgin wanted to stay, she placed the image in the castle. Devotion is historically linked to the fishermen and sailors of the port.
Main data
Origin and history
Our Lady of Loreto is the patron of Santa Pola, coastal municipality of the Baix Vinalopó with important fishing tradition. The legend of origin, transmitted orally, places the fact in 1643: during a revolt in the south of Andalusia, a devout entrusted a Marian image to a fisherman to make it safe. The fisherman tried to sail three times from the port of Santa Pola, but the sea prevented him from leaving. Understanding that the Virgin wanted to stay, she placed the image in the castle. Devotion is historically linked to the fishermen and sailors of the port.
Image and sanctuary
The image is venerated in the chapel of the Virgin of Loretolocated in the Caluarte del Rey del castle - the fortress of Santa Pola, built in the 16th century by Philip II to defend the coast of the pirate attacks. The chapel of the Baluarte del Rey is the oldest religious space in the municipality.
Sponsorship and coronation
Patron of Santa Pola. In 1974, local chronist Maruja Sempere wrote the play La Vinguda de la Mare de Déu de Loreto, which revitalized the December holiday. No canonical coronation.
Party and devotion
Two main festivities: the patron parties with Moors and Christians (September 8) y la Whining (10 December, universal liturgical holiday of Loreto), with procession of torches from the port to the castle.
Link to the Rosary
The devotion to the Virgin of Loreto in Santa Pola, a deep sailor, includes the prayer of the Rosary as protection for fishermen at sea.
A flower for the Virgin
It offers a simple prayer to this advocation. Pray a Hail Mary for Spain and for the peace of the world.
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