Our Lady of Thererenbach

Marian vocation of Jungholtz (Great East)

La advocación de Nuestra Señora de Thierenbach (Notre‐Dame de Thierenbach) is historically linked to the ancient Marian sanctuary located in Thererenbach, parish of Jungholtz, in the Upper Rhine (Alsace, France), considered one of the oldest Marian shrines in Alsace, with monastic origins around the siglo VIII According to the local French historiography (data widely collected in historical and tourist guides specialized in Alsace). No sources have been found to document an official transfer of this advocation, as such, to a self-named sanctuary in Colombia; therefore, everything related to a location in the department of Gran Este, Colombia not in verified sources and enters the ground of toponymic confusion with the French region of Grand Est.

Main data

Origin and history

La advocación de Nuestra Señora de Thierenbach (Notre‐Dame de Thierenbach) is historically linked to the ancient Marian sanctuary located in Thererenbach, parish of Jungholtz, in the Upper Rhine (Alsace, France), considered one of the oldest Marian shrines in Alsace, with monastic origins around the siglo VIII According to the local French historiography (data widely collected in historical and tourist guides specialized in Alsace). No sources have been found to document an official transfer of this advocation, as such, to a self-named sanctuary in Colombia; therefore, everything related to a location in the department of Gran Este, Colombia not in verified sources and enters the ground of toponymic confusion with the French region of Grand Est.

In the available documentation, Notre‐Dame de Thierenbach is clearly associated with the Therenbach basilica in Jungholtz (Upper Rhine, Alsace, France)which is presented as a sanctuary of Marian pilgrimage since medieval times, with successive reconstructions over the centuries. The reference to which the oldest Marian shrine in Alsace (VIII century) It belongs to this French reality, not Colombian. As a result, this fact sheet can only be spoken with rigour of the advocation as it is recognized in Alsace, FranceIt does not, however, contain a documented history specific to a Our Lady of Thererenbach en Colombia.

From the devotional point of view, the Alsatian local tradition considers this place an ancient focus of Marian pilgrimages, especially from the Middle Ages; however, precise details about apparitions, extraordinary favors or concrete miracles linked to a supposed Colombian foundation no constan in the sources consulted (sanctuary, diocese, local Wikipedia or international Catholic press). Where in Latin American popular piety the image or name of Our Lady of Thererenbach may have been adopted, it would rather be a derived devotion of the original Alsatian advocation, without a documented history of its own.

The image and the sanctuary

The advocation is venerated in Alsace as a Black Virgin, a fact that it does appear in the literature and in informative materials on European Marian shrines. The image is a representation of Mary with the Child Jesusof a relatively sober size, following the iconography of the Black Virgin Central European. However, easily accessible sources do not detail with absolute certainty the material ni la exact date of implementation of the size (wood, polychrome, restorations, etc.); therefore, these specific technical data do not have the required accuracy to be affirmed without risk of inaccuracy.

The sanctuary in which this advocation is officially venerated is the Therenbach basilica in Jungholtz (Upper Rhine, Alsace, France), Baroque temple reconstructed and embellished over older structures, recognized as a place of Marian pilgrimage. It consists of French sources that the temple has been elevated to the dignity of minor basilicabut no constan documents that prove such a title for a Marian temple with that name on Colombian territory. Therefore, any reference to a "Jungholtz Basilica in Colombia" lacks documentary support.

With regard to an alleged location: Jungholtz, department of Gran Este, Colombiathe official sources of the Church in Colombia (episcopal conferences, dioceses, great sanctuaries) do not record an official Marian sanctuary under that title in a place with that denomination; it is in all likelihood a question of a geographical confusion with the French region of Grand Est and the High Rhine department. Consequently, no consta an officially recognized Marian sanctuary with the title of Our Lady of Thererenbach in Colombia.

Sponsorship and coronation

In relation to the patronazgo, la advocación de Notre‐Dame de Thierenbach is linked to the Jungholtz region and its surroundings in Alsacewhere it is highly estimated as a pilgrimage center. It does not consist of official ecclesial sources that have been declared principal patron of a diocese, important city or nation; you can be considered a local patron of the faithful of the area who come to your sanctuary, but without a canonical title of national or diocesan patronage that can be documented with certainty.

On the coronationthe devotional sources indicate that it is a Black Virgin crowned and the year is mentioned 1936 as the date of coronation, but the accessible ecclesial documentation does not clearly specify the canonical nature of this coronation Pontifician delegate that would have done it. In the absence of a clearly identifiable or reference pontifical decree in official sources of the competent diocese, it is necessary to state: does not contain a documented canonical coronation for this image, in the technical-legal sense of canonical coronation granted by the Holy See.

Nor has serious reference been found in Colombian sources to a specific Our Lady of Thererenbach about a city or diocese in Colombia, nor news of a canonical coronation there celebrated under this advocation. Any statement in this regard, therefore, cannot be done rigorously.

Party and devotion

The feast that is associated with this advocation, according to the tradition collected in devotional materials, is the September 8, consistent with the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, universal Marian feast on the calendar of the Latin Church. This date is mentioned as the day of the celebration of Our Lady of Thererenbach, articulating local devotion with a general Marian solemnity.

The Alsatian sanctuary is known for its pilgrimages throughout the year, with special intensity at the Marian parties (particularly on 8 September), although detailed statistics of influx (annual number of pilgrims, provenance, etc.) no constan officially in the sources consulted. It is, in any case, a historical sanctuary of pilgrimage rather of regional scope, much loved in Alsace, where the faithful come to present petitions for the family, health and peace, following the pattern of popular European Marian religiosity.

In Colombia, no solid references to organized romance o own liturgical parties in honor of Our Lady of Thererenbach as an advocation implanted and recognized by the local dioceses. Where the name may have been adopted at a particular or community level, this is not reflected in the usual circuits of ecclesial information (sanctuaries, dioceses, episcopal conferences, Catholic press), so, from a documentary point of view, no consta a public devotion consolidated under this title in Colombian territory.

Link to the Rosary

The historical and official sources available no constan a specific, explicit and documented link of the Our Lady of Thererenbach con el rezo of the Holy Rosary (for example, the Rosary's cofradies erected in the sanctuary, particular indulgences linked to the Rosary in this place or an official title of "Our Lady of the Rosary of Thierenbach"). Although it is reasonable to assume that in a European Marian sanctuary the Rosary is often prayed, this practice belongs to the general climate of Marian piety more than a unique feature of this advocation.

From a theological and spiritual perspective, devotion to Our Lady of Thererenbachlike that of other Marian shrines, it is naturally harmonized with the Rosarywhich is a contemplation of the mysteries of Christ in the hand of Mary. Where the faithful invoke the Virgin under this title - especially at the feast of September 8 - and