Our Lady of the Dolores of Soriano, chief patron of the diocese of Querétaro

Marian vocation of Colón (Querétaro)

La devoción a Our Lady of the Dolores of Soriano has more than three centuries of continuous presence in the present municipality of Colón, in the state of Querétaro (Mexico), where the Marian sanctuary that gives it name is located. The image is taken by one of the most beloved Marian advocates of the Queretano people and eventually became the center of a major regional pilgrimage.

Main data

Origin and history

La devoción a Our Lady of the Dolores of Soriano has more than three centuries of continuous presence in the present municipality of Colón, in the state of Querétaro (Mexico), where the Marian sanctuary that gives it name is located. The image is taken by one of the most beloved Marian advocates of the Queretano people and eventually became the center of a major regional pilgrimage.

Documented history. The historical sources point out that the image would have been brought by missionaries - it is usually mentioned Spanish origin and Dominican mediation - and placed successively in different missions between indigenous peoples of the region, before being definitively left in the Soriano district, in the municipal head of Colón. The construction of current sanctuary started in 1880 y se concluyó en 1890, consolidating the place as a destination for mass pilgrimages. 31 October 1969 was officially sworn Principal patron of the diocese of Querétarofollowing formal proceedings before the Holy See. Later, the sanctuary was raised to the dignity of basilica el 7 February 2009.

Tradition and legend. Several pious stories transmitted orally speak of miracles and favors obtained by intercession from the Virgin of Soriano over the centuries. Among them are cures, aid in situations of danger and, in recent times, testimonies such as that of a girl who would have recovered her life without consequences after an accident, attributed the fact to the intercession of the Virgin. These stories are part of the devotional memory of the people, but they do not always have critical historical documentation, so they are located in the realm of tradition.

> Note: although the order mentions "Colón, department of Querétaro, Colombia," the title of Our Lady of the Dolores of Soriano is documented and recognized as its own Colón, state of Querétaro, Mexicowithout a self-contained sanctuary in Colombia in the sources consulted.

The image and the sanctuary

The image of Our Lady of the Dolores of Soriano es una Dolored traditional style, linked to Baroque models and observed with devotion since the 18th century. The news sources describe it as an image that has been venerated for more than three hundred years, of an old size, dressed and richly attested according to the iconography of the Mater Dolorosa: Mary appears in pain at the foot of the cross or contemplating the Passion, in continuity with the general iconography of Our Lady of the Dolores. The sources consulted do not contain a detailed technical description (wood / material, author, articulated character), so that these data cannot be stated with certainty.

The place of his veneration is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Dolores of Soriano, also called simply Basílica de Soriano, located in the municipality of Colón, Querétaro. The temple is officially recognized as minor basilica since 2009 and works as diocesan sanctuary Marian, with intense liturgical and pastoral life. The present church, which began in 1880 and concluded in 1890, presents the characteristics of the great sanctuaries of pilgrimage of the Bajío: an outstanding façade, a wide atrium for the reception of the faithful and an interior prepared for great devotional concentrations.

Sponsorship and coronation

Patronage. Our Lady of the Dolores of Soriano was proclaimed Principal patron of the diocese of Querétaro el 31 October 1969following the request of the religious of the diocese and the corresponding proceedings before the Holy See. The devotion also has a marked roots in the municipality of Colón and in large areas of the Bajío, where it is popularly recognized as a protector and mother of the region.

Canon coronation. The diocesan and outreach sources point out that the Virgin of the Dolores of Soriano has been coronate and has formal recognition, but do not specify the pontifical act or the name of the delegate. In the sources consulted, the date, the pontifical document and the name of the pontiff or delegate who presided over a canonical coronation according to current official criteria. Therefore, following the requested approach, it should be noted:

> No documented canonical coronation (with date and pontifical delegate identifiable in accessible sources).

Party and devotion

The main feast of Our Lady of the Dolores of Soriano is celebrated Dolores Friday, that is, the Friday before Palm Sunday, in line with the Latin Church's tradition of devotion to the Virgin Dolorosa before Holy Week. Around this date one of the most important Marian romaneries in the state of Querétaro is concentrated.

The Soriano shrine has been consolidated as a great pilgrimage center del Bajío: crowds of faithful come on foot, in parish groups, movements and co-fradies, especially on the days near the Friday of Dolores, to visit the Virgin, to make promises and to thank favors. Devotional traditions include continuous masses, processions, community prayers, confessions and the presentation of vows or testimonies of gratitude received.

Although no uniform official statistics are provided in the sources consulted, a Mass influx of pilgrims coming not only from the diocese of Querétaro, but also from neighbouring states of the Bajío, a feature that identifies Soriano as a sanctuary of regional irradiation.

Link to the Rosary

The specific sources on Our Lady of the Dolores of Soriano do not describe an exclusive or characteristic link of this advocation to the prayer of Rosary (for example, a historical fellowship of the Rosary directly associated with this sanctuary, or an official title linked to the "co-fradies of the Rosary"). It must therefore be strictly stated: no consta In the sources consulted a unique historical feature that one this advocation with the Rosary in a way differentiated from other Marian devotions.

However, by its nature of Doloredthe spirituality surrounding this image is very naturally integrated with the prayer of Rosario de los Dolores or with the prayer of the painful mysteries of the traditional Rosary. The meditation of the Seven Dolores of Mary - prophecy of Simeon, flee to Egypt, loss of Jesus in the Temple, encounter on the Via Cruces, death on the cross, descent and burial - deeply harmonizes with the contemplation of the Virgin of Soriano as Mother Dolorosa who accompanies Christ in his Passion.

The Rosary, both in its usual form and in the specific form of the Rosary of the Seven Dolores, presents itself as a privileged prayer to accompany this devotion: it helps to contemplate, together with Mary, the mysteries of the Passion of the Lord, to unite personal suffering to the cross of Christ and to welcome the maternal comfort of the Virgin of the Dolores of Soriano in the midst of the trials of life.