Our Lady of Werl, Consoladora de los Afligidos

Marian vocation of Werl (North Rhine-Westphalia)

La advocación de Our Lady of Werl, known in German as Comforter of the Sorrowful of Werl ("Consolador de los grieving de Werl"), is linked to the ancient Marian image venerated in the pilgrimage church of Werl, Westphalia, today minor basilica of the Visitation of Our Lady. The local tradition presents the Virgin of Werl as an image of comfort and spiritual help for the afflicted, especially in the context of the Marian pilgrimages of the region.

Main data

Origin and history

La advocación de Our Lady of Werl, known in German as Comforter of the Sorrowful of Werl ("Consolador de los grieving de Werl"), is linked to the ancient Marian image venerated in the pilgrimage church of Werl, Westphalia, today minor basilica of the Visitation of Our Lady. The local tradition presents the Virgin of Werl as an image of comfort and spiritual help for the afflicted, especially in the context of the Marian pilgrimages of the region.

La documented history of the present basilica indicates that the temple was built between 1904 y 1906 according to plans of the diocesan architect Wilhelm Sunder-Plaßmann, in Neorromanic style, and which was declared lower basilica in 1953. It also states that Franciscans they guard the sanctuary from 1848. As for the image, the source consulted describes it as a pious statue of the Virgin of Werl, also called afflictorum Consolatrix, con datación del 12th century; other available references place it around the XIV-XV centuryand therefore there is no single and fully matching dating in the sources provided.

The image and the sanctuary

The venerated image is a statue of the Virgin with the Childof a Gothic nature according to the local devotional tradition and the descriptions spread about the sanctuary; the sources consulted do not allow for the complete accuracy of the material or a unique dating, so that these data should be left in no consta If you seek maximum documentary prudence.

The official temple is the Basilica of the Visitation of Our Lady (Pilgrimage Basilica of Marya Visitation), en Werl (Renania del Norte-Westfalia, Alemania). Es una minor basilica and sanctuary of Marian pilgrimage attended by the Franciscans. The liturgical dedication to the Visit of Mary explains that its main party is held the 2 July in the local calendar linked to this advocation.

Sponsorship and coronation

It does not include, in the sources provided, a patronazgo civil or eclesiástico formal on the city, diocese or nation for this specific advocation; therefore, it must be recorded as no consta.

It also does not contain a documented canonical coronation for the image of Our Lady of Werl in the sources verified here; therefore, the prudent formulation is: does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

La main party associated with the sanctuary is that of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, el 2 July. The Basilica is an important Marian pilgrimage place of Westphalia, and the Franciscan presence has favored a stable devotional life, focused on prayer, the reception of pilgrims and the intercession of Mary as comfort of the afflicted.

The sources consulted do not provide secure data on current inflow figures or specific popular traditions sufficiently documented to be strictly included; therefore, at these points it is appropriate to write no consta.

Link to the Rosary

There is no specific historical or institutional relationship between Our Lady of Werl and some Rosary fellowship, particular indulgence or own rosarian tradition.

However, the advocation is fully part of Marian spirituality that the Rosary express: to see Mary as Mother who comforts, naturally leads to meditating the mysteries of Christ with it, especially in situations of pain, affliction and hope that this image of Werl evokes.