Our Lady of Consuelo

Marian devotion of Arezzo (Tuscany)

There is no documented history of the advocation in the accessible sources Our Lady of Consuelo in La Guajira, Colombia with features different from other homonymous claims in the world; the information available on "Our Lady of the Consuelo" refers mainly to devotions in other countries (Italy, Mexico, Venezuela, Spain, etc.), without explicit mention to a Marian sanctuary in Arezzo (department of Tuscany, Colombia).

Main data

Origin and history

There is no documented history of the advocation in the accessible sources Our Lady of Consuelo in La Guajira, Colombia with features different from other homonymous claims in the world; the information available on "Our Lady of the Consuelo" refers mainly to devotions in other countries (Italy, Mexico, Venezuela, Spain, etc.), without explicit mention to a Marian sanctuary in Arezzo (department of Tuscany, Colombia).

The reference to a "Madonna del Conforto" patron of Arezzo (Tuscany, Italy), ceramic image that would have shone during an 18th century earthquake, venerated in the cathedral and held on February 15, corresponds to an Italian apvocation of the city of Arezzo (Tuscany region, Italy), not to a Colombian sanctuary. [no source in results] Since the sources consulted do not provide data on the official translation of this advocation to the Colombian municipality of Arezzo or on the existence of a sanctuary of this history in Colombia, this connection should be considered as hypothetical in documented:: It is not known, where available, that there is a historical narrative of its own in Colombia linked to the Tuscan earthquake and the prodigy of ceramics.

As for the presence of the advocation of the Consuelo in Colombiathe existence of parishes dedicated to "Nuestra Señora del Consuelo" in other cities, for example in Bogotá, within the Archdiocese of Bogotá. However, these parish references do not mention a relationship with the "Madonna del Conforto" in Arezzo (Italy), nor do they repeat the tradition of the earthquake and the glow of ceramics, so it is not possible to affirm a documented historical link between them and Tuscan advocation.

The image and the sanctuary

There is no specific description of a image of Our Lady of the Consuelo (Madonna of the Conforto) in the municipality of Arezzo (Tuscany, Colombia), local sanctuary or temple that it reproduces the characteristics of the cathedral of Arezzo (Italy) or that it officially holds that title according to diocesan records accessible online. [not recorded]

In Italy, tradition refers to a small ceramic image that would have shone during an 18th century earthquake in Arezzo (Tuscany, Italy) and to be venerated in the cathedral of the city; however, this information comes from Italian devotion and not from sources about Colombia. [no source in results] There is no official reproduction of this image in the available sources in Arezzo, Colombia, nor has the local temple been erected as diocesan sanctuary, national sanctuary or minor basilica under that advocation.

Since the documentation found on Colombia is limited, in this search, to other parishes dedicated to "Nuestra Señora del Consuelo" without relation to Arezzo (Tuscany, Colombia), it cannot be described rigorously either the type of image, its material, its specific iconography, or the architectural characteristics of the temple of Arezzo (Colombia) under this title. In all these aspects no verifiable information.

Sponsorship and coronation

It does not contain, in the sources consulted, that Our Lady of Consuelo (Madonna of Conforto) has been officially proclaimed patron of the municipality of Arezzo (Tuscany, Colombia), nor as patron of a Colombian diocese or ecclesiastical region; no decrees of patronage or references have been found in accessible Colombian ecclesial organizations. [not recorded]

On a possible canonical coronation of the image venerated under this title in Colombia, no documentation has been found in the search (decrees, diocesan chronicles, Catholic press notes or acts of celebration). Therefore, for the advocation as it is proposed in Arezzo (Tuscany, Colombia), does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

It is important to distinguish this case from other claims of the Consuelo or Consolation in the world (for example, in Mexico or in Agustin contexts), which have received local or diocesan coronations, but which cannot be applied without documentary proof to the advocation of Arezzo (Colombia).

Party and devotion

La Feast of February 15 is associated, in Italian tradition, with the "Madonna del Conforto" of Arezzo (Tuscany, Italy). [no source in results] However, with regard to Arezzo (Tuscany, Colombia), no confirmation has been found that this date is officially celebrated in the parish or diocesan calendar under that title, nor data of participation, processions or local pilgrimages explicitly linked to the memory of the earthquake and the prodigy of the pottery. For the Colombian context, therefore, the liturgical or popular celebration of February 15 is not documented Como fiesta principal.

Tampoco if it has sober data concrete forms of devotion (Novias, processions, promises, miracles attributed, organized pilgrimages) in the municipality of Arezzo (Tuscany, Colombia). In other Colombian parishes dedicated to Our Lady of the Consuelo, devotion is expressed through the celebration of the Eucharist, processions and ordinary pastoral activities, but there is no indication that these practices reproduce a specific cult to the "Madonna of the Conforto" of Arezzo (Italy) or that they can be extrapolated to the case of Arezzo (Colombia).

The inflow of faithful, specific popular traditions or pilgrimages towards a Marian shrine of Our Lady of Consuelo in Arezzo (Tuscany, Colombia), no verifiable information in accessible sources.

Link to the Rosary

It does not contain, in the sources consulted, a explicit and documented relationship between the advocation of Our Lady of Consuelo (Madonna of Conforto) in Arezzo (Toscona, Colombia) and particular practices related to the prayer of Rosary (as co-fradies of the Rosary, specific promises, local indulgences or parish campaigns formally associated with this advocation). [not recorded]

However, in the Marian spirituality of the Church, the title of "Consuelo" naturally refers to the role of Mary as a Mother who accompanies and strengthens in the test, and the Rosary is one of the privileged ways by which the faithful welcome their protection. In any community where Mary is venerated under the advocation of the Consuelo, the prayer of the Rosary allows:

– Contemplar con María los mysteries of Christ's life, fuente última de todo consuelo, especialmente en los misterios dolorosos y gloriosos. – Ofrecerle, década tras década, las propias and suffering, confiando en su intercesión materna como “Consuelo de los afligidos”, título presente en las letanías lauretanas. – Integrar la devoción local en la great Marian tradition of the Churchby joining the faith of the people of God in Colombia with that of so many other faithful who, in various nations, venerate Mary as Mother of the Consuelo.

Thus, even without a specific historical or regulatory relationship, the Rosary is presented as the simplest and most profound way to accompany devotion to Our Lady of the Consuelo, asking her to be true by her intercession comfort and hope for the families of Arezzo (Tuscany, Colombia) and for the whole Church.