Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Marian Advocation of Nossa Senhora do Socorro (Sergipe)

No specific documentation on the advocation of Nuestra Señora del Socorro as patrona del municipio de Nossa Senhora do Socorro (Sergipe, Brazil) with detailed and verifiable information in official, academic or general reference ecclesial sources. In particular, they do not contain in line, in a clear way, historical data of their own, differentiated from other requests of the Relief (such as those well known to Santander in Colombia, Valencia in Venezuela or the Augustinian tradition), which allow for the rigorous reconstruction of their local history.

Main data

Origin and history

No specific documentation on the advocation of Nuestra Señora del Socorro as patrona del municipio de Nossa Senhora do Socorro (Sergipe, Brazil) with detailed and verifiable information in official, academic or general reference ecclesial sources. In particular, they do not contain in line, in a clear way, historical data of their own, differentiated from other requests of the Relief (such as those well known to Santander in Colombia, Valencia in Venezuela or the Augustinian tradition), which allow for the rigorous reconstruction of their local history.

At the general level, the of the Virgin of Help It is ancient and closely linked to the spirituality of the Order of St. Augustine since the beginning of the 14th century, from the experience of Blessed Nicholas Bruno of Messina in Palermo, Sicily, from where it was widely spread throughout Europe and then Latin America. This expansion explains that many cities and parishes in America take the title "Our Lady of Relief" as a patron and give their name to towns and municipalities, as is also the case in Colombia (El Socorro, Santander, and Since, Sucre). It is reasonable to think - as a hypothesis, not as a fact found - that the choice of this title in Sergipe is part of the same movement of dissemination of the advocation brought by missionaries and colonizers during the colonial period; however, no constan closes accurate documents for the specific case of Our Lady of Socorro (Sergipe).

As for the party around August 15, that date appears frequently linked to the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Marywhich in many places is celebrated as a great patron party, even if the image has another particular advocation. The reference to a celebration near August 15 for Our Lady of Relief is documented, for example, in the Marian shrine of Guaca (Santander, Colombia), where the Virgin of Relief is celebrated that day. By liturgical analogy, it is true that in Nossa Senhora do Socorro (Sergipe) the main feast is also concentrated around August 15, but for this municipality and its parish no public and verifiable documentary confirmation has been found of the exact date.

The image and the sanctuary

The sources consulted do not provide a specific and documented description of the concrete image venerated in the matrix of Nossa Senhora do Socorro (Sergipe, Brazil): no consta with certainty the size type (wood, plaster or other material), neither the dimensions, nor a detailed iconography of that local image.

In general, the traditional iconography of the Virgin of Reliefespecially in the agustinian line, it represents Mary as Mother to help, with the Child Jesus in arms or very close, often in a dynamic attitude of protection, and in some cases with references to situations of danger from which the Virgin gives the faithful. However, it cannot be said rigorously that the image of the parent church of Nossa Senhora do Socorro reproduces exactly this traditional iconography, since does not contain an official artistic description for this particular case.

No precise and verifiable data on the canonical category of the parent temple (if it is only a parish or if it has the title of diocesan sanctuary, Marian sanctuary or minor basilica); therefore, in the absence of an explicit document, it can only be said that no consta officially, in the sources consulted, a recognition as a minor basilica or as a national sanctuary. All this indicates that it is mainly about the iglesia matriz parroquial del municipiowhere the liturgical and devotional life is concentrated around the patron.

Sponsorship and coronation

It is strongly extended, by analogy with many other cases of homonymous localities in Latin America, that when a municipality bears the name of a Marian advocation (such as "Nossa Senhora do Socorro"), that advocation is considered patron of the municipality. In this sense, although the sources consulted do not offer a formal proclamation specific to the Serbian municipality, it can be stated in general code that Our Lady of Relief is venerated as patron of the municipality that bears its name, following a pattern very similar to that of other cities consecrated to this title, such as El Socorro in Santander, Colombia.

As for a canonical coronation de la imagen venerada en Nossa Senhora do Socorro (Sergipe), does not contain a documented canonical coronation in accessible sources (episcopal or pontifical decree, or clearly identifiable diocesan chronicle). There may be local or devotional coronations (for example, organized by the parish community without formal canonical decree), but such acts cannot be classified as pontifical or diocesan canonical coronation for the purposes of this document without explicit documentation.

Party and devotion

On the date of the main party of Our Lady of Relief as patron of Nossa Senhora do Socorro (Sergipe), the information available only allows to state that it is celebrated "around 15 August," previewed in connection with the solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. However, no consta in a documented and verifiable manner the exact day officially adopted as a patron party in this municipality.

In the tradition of Virgin of the Relief In other places in Latin America, the patron parties are characterized by solemn masses, preparatory novenas, processions with the image, promises, songs and popular expressions of gratitude for favors received, as well as pilgrimages from neighbouring populations. It is reasonable to think that in Nossa Senhora do Socorro (Sergipe) the local devotion includes similar elements - especially the Eucharistic celebration, the procession of the image, the mass participation of the faithful of the municipality and surroundings and manifestations of popular religiosity - but no flow figures or detailed and official descriptions of the devotional practices of this particular sanctuary.

It can therefore only be said with certainty that the devotion to Our Lady of Helpwhere it is rooted, it is lived as a resource entrusted to Mary in the material and spiritual needs, consistent with the very meaning of the title: the Virgin who comes in relief of their children.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted do not document a specific and own relationship between the advocation of Our Lady of Help in Nossa Senhora do Socorro (Sergipe) and the prayer of the Rosary (for example, historical rosarian copradies, particular indulgences or parties explicitly linked to the Rosary). Therefore, in this particular case no consta a unique historical or canonical link with the Rosary.

However, the Marian spirituality which inspires the title of "Relief" deeply harmonizes with the Rosaryin which the Church contemplates the mysteries of the life of Christ from the hand of Mary, invoking her help in all circumstances. Where the Virgin of Help is venerated, the prayer of the Rosary:

– ayuda a meditating on Mary's helping presence en los momentos de gozo, de luz, de dolor y de gloria en la vida de Cristo y de la Iglesia; – sostiene la subsidiary trust en la intercesión de la Madre, particularmente en las situaciones de prueba, enfermedad o necesidad, muy coherente con el sentido del “socorro” que se le pide; – fomenta la community and parish lifeby bringing together the faithful around the image of the patron to pray for the people, for the sick, for families and for peace.

Thus, even if there is no record of a specific historical link between the local advocation of Nossa Senhora do Socorro (Sergipe) and the Rosary, the Marian title itself invites the Rosary is a privileged way to live and deepen this devotion, asking Mary, as Mother of Help, to lead always to Christ and to hope.