Our Lady of Monserrate of Montecristi, venerated in the Minor Basilica and Sanctuary of Monserrate on the hill of Montecristi

Patron de Montecristi

Tradition and Legend

Main data

Origin and history

Tradition and Legend

Various local reviews reflect the tradition that the image of the Virgin of Monserrate would have been a gift from Emperor Charles Voriginally intended for the city of Lima (Peru), while an image of Santa Rosa would be sent to Montecristi; for a divine intervention the images would have been exchanged, leaving Our Lady of Monserrate in Montecristi. This version is repeated in popular chronicles and local catechetical materials, but it belongs to the field of Pious traditionwithout known critical documentary backup.

Another line of tradition, more general, links the image with the ancient devotions to the Virgin of Montserrat in Spain, indicating that it would be a size of Catalan origin arrived in colonial times, probably brought by Spanish missionaries or authorities, as was the case with other Marian images in the region. However, the details of the trip, specific donors and exact date of arrival in Manabí are not accurately recorded in the available documentation.

Documented history

The sources agree that devotion to the Virgin of Monserrate was first consolidated in the coastal area (Manta and its surroundings) and then in Montecristiwhere the image was moved for security reasons, in the face of dangers that ran while remaining in Manta. Since her arrival in Montecristi, she was venerated in grotto and simple cane shrines, until the construction of a larger temple was undertaken.

The present church-sanctuary was promoted by the priest of Yugoslav origin Mons. Emil Palčić, appointed parish priest of Montecristi on 26 May 1950. According to local documentation, began the construction of the temple on 27 May 1951and the present Basilica was built mainly between 1959 y 1962. The temple was later elevated to the dignity of Minor Basilica el 3 June 1988 by the Pope Juan Pablo II, as recorded in historical local reviews and educational materials that cite this Pontifical Decree.

The image and the sanctuary

The image

The available sources highlight the character old and very venerated of the image, but do not provide a detailed technical description of its material or style (wood, plaster or other, or exact dimensions). There is no precise iconographic description similar to that of Montserrat de Cataluña in the sources consulted (for example, the type of crown, or the color of the face, is not detailed), beyond that it is a imagen mariana de vestir, to which are placed robes of various liturgical colors.

It is documented that the image receives dresses in the four main liturgical colors purple, white, red and greenthey are changing according to the times of the year. The "measure" of the robe of the Virgin is much requested by the faithful, who use it to make garments that they then offer to the Virgin or carry with them as a sign of protection. The church has a space specially designed for the image, which allows to see it from the inside of the temple and also to approach the back to touch the image, pray and leave flowers, a very typical gesture of local devotion.

The sanctuary / temple

The main place of worship is the Minor Basilica of the Virgin of Monserrat (also called the Basilica of Monserrate), located in the centre of the city of Montecristi, Manabí province. It is considered one of the main religious and tourist attractions of the region and an outstanding architectural piece of Manabí.

The temple presents a European style design with Baroque and Gothic influences. On the outside, the following are particularly important:

– Una high tower of 66 meters, elemento más visible del conjunto, que permite identificar la Basílica desde varios kilómetros. – Dos Roman-style towers en la fachada, que marcan la silueta del templo. – Un amplio Roman-style atrium. – Una escalinata de acceso con alrededor de 10 meters highwhich emphasizes the character of a high sanctuary.

The marmol and various columns of Roman and Baroque style, which frame the space where the image is located. Because of its pastoral and devotional importance, the church functions as Marian sanctuary for the province and for pilgrims from other parts of the country.

Sponsorship and coronation

The sources agree that the Virgin of Monserrate is the main religious reference of Montecristi and one of the spiritual symbols of Manabí. It is considered, in practice, patron of the city of Montecristi and great focus of devotion of the province, being Montecristi described as "religious capital of Manabí" in relation to its Basilica and the pilgrimages to the Virgin.

There are testimonies that the Basilica was elevated to Minor Basilica by John Paul II in 1988, which officially confirms the importance of devotion in the ecclesial field. However, the sources consulted do not explicitly mention a canonical coronation of the image (i.e. a formal coronation rite approved by the Holy See or by delegated authority with specific decree). Therefore, according to the accessible data:

– Patronage: patrona de Montecristi y gran foco de devoción manabita. – Canon coronation: does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

La main party of Our Lady of Monserrate is celebrated the November 21, the date on which the main pilgrimage of the year is performed. Between 12 and 21 November, Montecristi becomes a place of intense pilgrimage, with a flow of faithful that some reports estimate around 100,000 people in recent years, especially before the pandemic. The city is presented in those days as a true religious center of Manabí.

La from Portoviejo to Montecristi, culminating on 21 November, is described as the greater expression of faith in honor of the Virgin, with the participation of hundreds or thousands of pilgrims who walk to reach the Basilica. The processions through the streets of the city, with the image carried in walks and accompanied by orchestras and bands, are a very characteristic feature of the party.

Throughout the year, the Basilica is "constantly visited by a number of faithful and devotees," who come to pray, ask for favors, thank miraclesoffer candles, bouquets and robes for the Virgin. Devotion includes:

– Cambio frecuente de túnicas en los colores litúrgicos, gesto que muchos devotos consideran un honor y un acto de cariño. – Promesas y exvotos ofrecidos por gracias atribuidas a la intercesión de la Virgen. – Participación masiva en las misas diarias y dominicales en la Basílica, que mantiene una intensa vida litúrgica.

Faith in the Virgin of Monserrate has transcended the local environment, attracting also pilgrims from other provinces of Ecuador and even from neighbouring countries, according to historical reviews.

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