Our Lady of the Rosary of the Throne, patron of the city of San Luis

Marian title of San Luis (San Luis)

La devoción a Our Lady of the Rosary of the Throne In San Luis it dates back to the colonial period, linked to the presence of the Dominican friars, great promoters of the Rosary prayer. The image that is being venerated today is considered the oldest preserved in the city, dated around the year 1600, and local tradition recognizes it as "founder of the church in San Luis." In 1758 the Dominican Fra Tomás Meneses organizó la Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, considered the first Catholic institution of St. Louis, consolidating the Marian cult around this image.

Main data

Origin and history

La devoción a Our Lady of the Rosary of the Throne In San Luis it dates back to the colonial period, linked to the presence of the Dominican friars, great promoters of the Rosary prayer. The image that is being venerated today is considered the oldest preserved in the city, dated around the year 1600, and local tradition recognizes it as "founder of the church in San Luis." In 1758 the Dominican Fra Tomás Meneses organizó la Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, considered the first Catholic institution of St. Louis, consolidating the Marian cult around this image.

As for the strictly documented history, it is noted that the present parish, commonly called "Church of Santo Domingo," is officially named after Parish Our Lady of the Rosary of the Throne and is located at the intersection of the streets San Martín and May 25in the middle of the city. The present temple was the subject of a solemn consecration: 1 October 1988the then bishop of Saint Louis, Mons. Juan Rodolfo Laiseand consecrated the temple and its altar, and deposited relics of San Pío V y Santa Gema Galgani, which confirms the privileged character of the place of worship. The devotion remains alive to the present, being officially recognized by the Bishop of St. Louis as the patron of the city.

No specific tradition or legend (apparition, miraculous finding, etc.) has been found in diocesan or press sources to narrate a prodigious origin of the image; the main reference is its antiquity, its link with the Dominicans and its historical role in the constitution of the local ecclesial community.

The image and the sanctuary

Local sources agree to point out that the image of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Throne is the oldest preserved in St. Louis (ca. 1600) and who presides over the temple from a prominent place, as a "throne." The iconography is part of the tradition of Rosary: This is an image of the Virgin Mary under the advocation of the Rosary, linked to Dominican spirituality and to the contemplation of the mysteries of Christ through Marian prayer. The sources consulted do not clearly specify the material (polychrome wood, plaster or other) or technical details of size or authorship, so on these aspects no consta documented information.

The temple where the image is venerated is the Parish Our Lady of the Rosary of the Throne, popularly known as Iglesia de Santo Domingo. It is located in the historic center of the city of Saint Louis, department Juan Martín de Pueyrredón (also called La Capital), in the province of San Luis. It is considered one of the most emblematic historical and devotional milestones of the city, of colonial origin, and is part of the local religious and cultural heritage. The church is also recognized as sanctuary Marian at diocesan level: various official tourist sources and networks of the Bishops refer to him as "Our Lady of the Rosary of the Throne Sanctuary". It is not known, in the sources consulted, that the temple has the title of minor basilica ni de National sanctuary; its range is that of diocesan parish and sanctuary.

Sponsorship and coronation

The Bishop of Saint Louis expressly presents the Our Lady of the Rosary of the Throne how "patron of the city of San Luis". In addition, in a celebration transmitted by the Bishops themselves it is also mentioned as Patron of the San Luis Province Police, which indicates a particular patronage of this institution. No documentary reference has been found to a patronage of this advocation over the entire diocese or at the national level, so no consta a wider recognition than that of the city and the provincial police.

As for a canonical coronationthe diocesan, parish and local press sources consulted do not mention any pontifical decree or liturgical act of coronation with gold crown in the name of the Pope. No reference to date, pontiff or pontifical delegate for a solemn canonical coronation appears. In the absence of clear and verifiable documentation, it is appropriate to state: does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

The fiesta principal de Our Lady of the Rosary of the Throne se celebra el 7 October, in line with the liturgical memory of Our Lady of the Rosary in the calendar of the Church. On that day the city of San Luis particularly celebrates its patron saint, with Formal Mass presided over by the diocesan bishop or his delegate, as shown by the transmissions and messages of the Bishop. The celebration usually includes a novena previa and various liturgical and devotional acts in the temple of Santo Domingo, extending several days around the central date.

In the context of October 7 they are organized urban pilgrims, processions and popular manifestations of faith, especially of the city's faithful and members of the San Luis Province Police, who recognize her as their patron. The local press notes that the commemoration takes place in the Temple Santo Domingo and that it is a traditional quote for the devotees of the provincial capital. No formal statistical data on the afluencia of the faithful; the journalistic and diocesan chronicles describe, without figures, a large participation and a "very deep-rooted" devotion in the community.

Among the devotional features are the solemn mass, el prayer of the Rosarythe processions with the image and acts of consecration of the city and of the Police to the Virgin, as it appears from the official communications and celebrations transmitted by the Bishops. The advocation, which has been rooted since the colonial era, is part of the religious and cultural identity of the inhabitants of San Luis.

Link to the Rosary

The link of this advocation with the Rosary It is intrinsic, both for its title and for its history. The arrival of dominics the region and the foundation of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary around this image show that devotion was structured from its origins around the prayer of the Rosary as a privileged way of contemplating the mysteries of Christ next to Mary. The very name "Our Lady of the Rosary of the Throne" underlines the place of honor of the Virgin in the church and the centrality of the Rosary in her worship.

In today's practice, the celebrations of October 7 and the previous days include in an outstanding way the Community rezo of the Rosary, promoted by the parish and the Bishops. Although the sources do not describe in detail concrete schemes (living rosaries, processions, etc.), the character of Marian sanctuary and the Dominican identity of the place make the Rosary an essential element of popular piety attached to this advocation. In this way, devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary of