Our Lady of Miracles

Sanctuary of Mount Medo · Baths of Molgas (Ourense) · Coronado

En lo alto del Mount FearIn the mountains of Saint Mamede, the sanctuary of Our Lady of Miracles, one of the great focuses of Galician Marian devotion. Mayor of Ourense and canonically crowned in 1964, each September brings together tens of thousands of pilgrimage.

Main data

History and origin

The Marian devotion on Mount Medo dates back to the early Christenanization of Galicia. According to tradition, the Count of Caldelas made a vow to raise a hermitage to the Virgin - under the title of "Our Lady of Defense" - after defeating that of Pena; by 1700 the image became called «de los Milagros». The present sanctuary is from the 18th century, and since 1869 it has been in charge of the Paúles Fathers. It was declared a historical-artistic national monument in 1982.

The Romeria and the Rosary of the Torches

Su festividad es el September 8, preceded by a novena since August 30. On the eve, on the night of the 7th, many faithful come up night pilgrimage of almost 30 kilometers from Ourense, with the emotional "Rosario de las Torchas". The sanctuary receives between 80,000 and 100,000 visits each year.

The canonical coronation

Solemnly named "mayor of Orense" on August 25, 1964, the Virgin of the Miracles was crowned canonically 6 September 1964by virtue of the bull which Pope Paul VI granted on December 19, 1963. Its crown, of the Vigo goldsmith Ramón Fernández, is carved in gold with sapphires, emeralds, rubies and glossy contributed by the devotees. It is one of the few Galician images that enjoy canonical coronation.

Favors and popular devotion

Under the title of the Miracles, Galicia goes to Mount Medo with her needs and thanks the Virgin for her favors kept in the devout memory of the earth, without this being a formal ecclesiastical declaration.

Mary, Mother of the miracles of God

The "miracles" of this advocation are above all the wonders of the grace that God works through the intercession of His Mother. She goes with him. Holy Rosarythat here we pray even in the light of the torches, and with which the Virgin always leads us to her Son.