Our Lady of the Roble, principal patron of the Archdiocese of Monterrey

Marian vocation of Monterrey (Nuevo León)

According to the tradition, en 1592 el franciscano Fray Andrés de León He placed a small image of the Virgin Mary in the oak hole, to protect her from possible attacks by nomadic indigenous people in the region where Monterrey would be founded. Years later, a shepherdess who looked after a flock heard a voice calling her from an oak and, as she approached, found the image of the Virgin in the obscene of the tree. The priest sent the image to the temple, but, according to the narrative, the image miraculously returned to the oak on three occasions, interpreting itself as a sign that his chapel should be erected there. This story, deeply rooted in popular piety, is part of the devotional core of the Virgin of the Robles, although it is transmitted in key Pious Legend More than a verifiable historical chronicle.

Main data

Origin and history

According to the tradition, en 1592 el franciscano Fray Andrés de León He placed a small image of the Virgin Mary in the oak hole, to protect her from possible attacks by nomadic indigenous people in the region where Monterrey would be founded. Years later, a shepherdess who looked after a flock heard a voice calling her from an oak and, as she approached, found the image of the Virgin in the obscene of the tree. The priest sent the image to the temple, but, according to the narrative, the image miraculously returned to the oak on three occasions, interpreting itself as a sign that his chapel should be erected there. This story, deeply rooted in popular piety, is part of the devotional core of the Virgin of the Robles, although it is transmitted in key Pious Legend More than a verifiable historical chronicle.

As for the documented historythe tradition places the place of oak in the area known as "White Stone.", associated with the first missions and the beginning of the settlement that would give rise to the city of Monterrey. In 1790, the bishop fray Rafael José Verger began the construction of a temple dedicated to the Virgin of the Roble in Monterrey, on an already consolidated devotion. After attempts at construction and remodeling (1854, consecration in 1884 per mons. Ignacio Montes de Oca, restorations since 1910 and a major remodeling in the 1960s) were shaping the present sanctuary. The Archdiocese of Monterrey and the Basilica itself officially recognize the Virgin of the Robles as Master Patron before God of the Archdioceseand that foundational tradition as part of his historical memory.

The image and the sanctuary

The image of Our Lady of the Roble es una small sculpture dress up of 58 cm high, settled on a plucked-in wooden comb. According to the technical description disseminated by the Basilica, it is made with a mixture of heart of corn and flower bulbs, a fragile material which, however, remains in good condition. The face has very fine features, of a coined complexion darkened by the patina of time; the large eyes, of dark puple coffee, look forward, and the whole reflects the suffering maturity of a Mother who has glazed her love in sacrifice. This is iconographically a Marian image of an immaculate type (Immaculate), to which tradition links with the finding in oak.

The main place of worship is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Robles, located in the centre of Monterrey (state of Nuevo León, Mexico)at the intersection of the streets Benito Juárez and 15 de Mayo. It is a temple of wide dimensions, with significant reforms in the 19th and 20th century, and was designated minor basilica (recognized as such in local ecclesial documentation). The Basilica, in a sober and robust style, combines classic elements with modern remodeling; in its interior the large presbytery, the dome reconstructed after a collapse in 1884 (from which the image was unharmed) and a rich decoration with marbles and altarpieces. It is one of the main Marian sanctuaries of the city and permanent center of pilgrimages and archdiocesan liturgical acts.

(Note: Although the statement mentions "Monterrey, department of Nuevo León, Colombia," the ecclesial and journalistic sources are unanimous in that they are about Monterrey, state of Nuevo León, Mexico, seat of the Archdiocese of Monterrey).

Sponsorship and coronation

The Virgin of the Robles is officially recognized as "Master Patron before God of the Archdiocese of Monterrey" according to the Archdiocese itself and the Basilica. His patronage extends in a special way over the city of Monterrey and above all the Archdiocese of Monterrey (Nuevo León, Mexico), being one of the most significant Marian devotions in the region. In local ecclesial life, his patron feast and presence in the Basilica mark the liturgical and pastoral calendar of the archdiocese.

On the canonical or pontifical coronationlocal sources indicate a pontific coronation each 31 May. A priest of the archdiocese refers to the feast of the "pontifical coronation of the image" on May 31, held in the parish "Coronation of the Virgin of the Roble." A video of the Monterrey Communication Pastoral commemorates the 62nd anniversary of the pontifical coronation of the Virgin of the Roble, which places the coronation around the mid-20th century. However, the sources consulted do not explicitly and verifiably indicate the name of the Pontiff who granted the coronation or the exact date of the decree or riteand therefore, according to the criteria requested, for the date of the year and the Pontiff should be indicated: “not reported”. Therefore, in this document: does not contain a canonical coronation documented with year and pontiff / delegate with sufficient certainty.

(The data "12 June 1976 by Paul VI" is not based on the diocesan sources, the Basilica or the accessible documentation; by historical rigor, it is not incorporated.)

Party and devotion

The fiesta principal de Our Lady of the Roble se celebra el 18 December, recognized as a patronal solemnity in the Archdiocese of Monterrey. The devotion is preceded in the calendar by other great Marian parties (Immaculate, December 8; Guadalupe, December 12), so that the Advent in Monterrey is strongly marked by the presence of Mary under several calls, culminating for the archdiocese at the feast of the Roble.

During the days near 18 December and on other Marian dates, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Robles receive a great influx of faithful, with pilgrimages of parishes, movements and families who come to thank received favors, ask for protection and participate in the Eucharist and other acts of piety. Local media describe a continuous flow of miles de creyentes who visit the temple, especially at the patron party and the anniversary of the coronation. Devotional expressions include novenas, community prayers, floral offerings, candles, urban processions from various parts of the city and personal and family consecration to the Virgin of the Roble. The image is perceived as close and protective, linked to the history of the city and to difficult situations (floods, violence, social crises) in which the Regiomontano people have sought their protection.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted do not document a specific and differentiated relationship from the cult of Our Lady of the Robles with a practice of the Rosary (for example, the Rosary's fellowship directly linked to this advocation or an official title that identifies it as "the Rosary"). However, as in most of the great Marian shrines of Mexico, the Rezo del Santo Rosario It is a regular part of daily devotional life: it prays before or after the Mass, in the novies prior to the feast of December 18, on pilgrimages and in moments of special need, joining the faithful in the meditation of the mysteries of Christ with Mary.

From a general Marian perspective, the Rosary se presenta com