Our Lady of the Mission of Santa Barbara

Marian title of Santa Bárbara (California)

La Mission of Santa Barbara (Old Mission Santa Barbara) was founded by the Franciscan friars the 4 December 1786under the auspices of Santa Barbara, Virgin and Martir, as part of the Alta California mission system, then Spanish Crown territory. This mission is traditionally known as "the Queen of Missions" for the elegance of its architecture and its historical importance in the evangelization of the region. It is part of the diocese of Santa Barbara (now the archdiocese of Los Angeles) and belongs to the Latin catholic rite.

Main data

Origin and history

La Mission of Santa Barbara (Old Mission Santa Barbara) was founded by the Franciscan friars the 4 December 1786under the auspices of Santa Barbara, Virgin and Martir, as part of the Alta California mission system, then Spanish Crown territory. This mission is traditionally known as "the Queen of Missions" for the elegance of its architecture and its historical importance in the evangelization of the region. It is part of the diocese of Santa Barbara (now the archdiocese of Los Angeles) and belongs to the Latin catholic rite.

From its origins, the life of the mission was marked by a strong Marian presence, in accordance with the Franciscan spirituality and the Hispanic piety of the time, although the main headline of the temple is Santa Barbara. The mission has worked almost continuously as a centre of Catholic veneration since the 18th century and is the the only California mission that has remained continuously in the hands of the Franciscanseven after the secularization of missions in the 19th century and subsequent political changes in Mexico and the United States.

There are no official sources of legends of Marian apparitions directly linked to this mission. The Marian name "Our Lady of the Mission of Santa Barbara" the tradition of referring to the Virgin Mary as Mother and Lady of each missionrather than a concrete extraordinary fact. This advocation is framed in the general Marian devotion of the mission and in the various images of the Virgin that are venerated there, without a specific miraculous origin being documented.

The image and the sanctuary

In the Mission of Santa Barbara are venerated various images of the Virgin Mary, typical of Franciscan piety and Hispanic tradition, although public sources do not identify a single Marian image as "official" under the title "Our Lady of the Mission of Santa Barbara." A detailed technical description (type, material, author) of a unique image corresponding to this title is not included in the accessible documentation; virtual photographs and visits of Virgin with the Child and other Marian representations of altar and procession, colonial and posterior style, probably in polychrome wood, but without exhaustive historical record published.

The sanctuary is the Old Mission Santa Barbara, whose current official name is "Old Mission Santa Barbara" and works like parroquia y Franciscan pastoral center, in addition to museum and national historical place. The present temple, of Neoclassical facade with two twin towers inspired by Roman models, it dates from its final configuration in the early 19th century, after several reconstructions by earthquakes. The inside is of simple basic plant, with central ship, side altars and a retablo principal of a mystical style, decorated with geometric motifs and living colors inherited from the Spanish baroque and adapted to the local context.

As far as the sources are concerned, the Santa Barbara Mission no ostenty el titre de basilica minor nor is it officially recognized as National Marian Sanctuary in the United States, although it is a historic site of great relevance and an important center of Catholic and tourist veneration. It is attended by the French friars (Santa Bárbara Province / OFM), which maintain the liturgical life and the custody of the spiritual and artistic heritage of the mission.

Sponsorship and coronation

The Mission & apos; s main patronage is that of Santa Barbara, Virgin and Martir, which gives name to the city and county of Santa Barbara, being the historical headline of the temple and of the missionary foundation. The Marian Invocation "Our Lady of the Mission of Santa Barbara" is understood, rather than as specific civil or canonical patronage, as a devotional way of recognizing the Virgin Mary as Mother of the Franciscan Mission and Evangelizing Work in this place. There are no official decrees designating her as the principal patron of the city or of the diocese under that particular Marian title.

In the documentation available (official mission page, diocesan information, devotional repertories and Catholic press) does not contain a documented canonical coronation of an image of the Virgin under the title "Our Lady of the Mission of Santa Barbara," neither by the Holy See nor by episcopal delegation. There may be coronations or local devotional acts of lower rank, but no record of a canonical coronation in a strict sense.

Party and devotion

La liturgical main feast of the mission is the memory of Santa Barbara, Virgin and Martir, el 4 Decemberwhich is celebrated with local solemnity and has strong roots in the community. As for Marian devotion, the mission participates in the universal celebrations of the Church, especially the great feasts of the Virgin (Immaculate Conception, Christmas, Asunción), as well as in Marian parties of Spanish and Latin American piety that bring together the immigrant communities. However, does not contain a date of its own, official and exclusive for a liturgical feast of "Our Lady of the Mission of Santa Barbara" recognized in the diocesan or universal calendar.

The Santa Barbara Mission is a place of great influx of faithful and visitors throughout the year, with thousands of pilgrims and tourists coming for religious, historical and cultural reasons. They are held Daily and Sunday Eucharist, retreats, catechesis activities and popular devotions, including Marian devotion has a prominent role, in continuity with the Franciscan tradition and the legacy of missions. Guided tours are also organized that include an explanation of the sacred images and the history of evangelization in California, which contributes to keeping alive the memory of the Virgin's protection of the mission.

Link to the Rosary

The official sources of the mission and the diocese do not document a unique specific or historical link between this advocation and the prayer of the Rosaryas could happen in Marian shrines specifically dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary. There is no mention of a fellowship of the Rosary of the mission or a particular feast of the Rosary linked to an extraordinary local event.

However, in Catholic spirituality and, in particular, in the Franciscan tradition, el Rosary It is a common and highly recommended Marian prayer, which accompanies the lives of communities and the faithful. In a place like the Santa Barbara Mission, where the Virgin Mary is venerated as Mother and Lady of the missionary workthe prayer of the Rosary is understood as a concrete way of contemplating, together with Mary, the mysteries of Christ's life and to offer prayer for evangelization, peace and reconciliation.

This way, though no particular historical link between the title "Our Lady of the Mission of Santa Barbara" and a specific episode related to the Rosary, the practice of the Rosary is presented as a privileged way to live and deepen Marian devotion in this sanctuary: uniting the intentions of the local and universal Church, asking for the protection of Mary over the city and all those who approach the mission, and keeping alive the memory of the missionaries who, for more than two centuries, have entrusted their apostolic work to the intercession of the Virgin.