Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, Patrona
Citation – Marian Library Holy Card Collection ML.031
Country
Dominican Republic
Descriptions
Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia is the patroness of the Dominican Republic. The basilica that houses her image is found in Higüey, an eastern province of the Dominican Republic. There are three popular stories, one with the backing of historical documentation, recounting how the image of Our Lady of the High Grace arrived on the island. The simplest one is that her portrait was brought over from Spain by Alfonso and Antonio Trejo in 1502, who were among the first European settlers on the island. They had come from the region of Estremadura in Spain, where the image was said to have been found by a shepherdess. They offered it to the parish church so that everyone could venerate it. The first shrine was completed in 1572, and in 1971 the present Basilica was consecrated.
The portrait of Our Lady of Altagracia is rather small and is painted on cloth. It portrays the crowned Blessed Mother praying over her Child that is laying before her as she peacefully gazes upon him. St. Joseph stands in the background over her shoulder taking in the scene. The virgin is wearing blue cloak sprinkled with stars and with a large white collar over a red dress which are the colors of the Dominican flag. A radiant crown and twelve stars frame her head.
The painting has been determined to be done in the Spanish style and to have been painted towards the end of the fifteenth or beginning of the sixteenth century. Over time, candle smoke and the oils from people’s hands darkened the surface of the painting and it had to be restored in 1978. The frame which holds the painting is a beautiful example of Dominican workmanship, and is made of gold, enamel and valuable gemstones. It was created by an unknown eighteenth-century artist.
The image of Our Lady of Altagracia had the privilege of being crowned twice: first on August 15, 1922, during the pontificate of Pius XI and again by Pope John Paul II on January 25, 1979, during his visit to Santo Domingo. At that time the pope personally placed a gold and silver tiara upon the image, his personal gift to the Virgin. The Altagracia is celebrated on January 21, which coincides with the anniversary of the victory of Dominican troops over the French in 1691 in the Battle of Sabana Real.
Her cult has spread beyond the Dominican Republic, especially among the Native population of Quíbor, Venezuela. In the 1500s the first people of Quíbor kept an image of the Virgin in a small chapel and they looked to her as the patroness of their city and their protectress. In the 1800s, the chapel was destroyed but was later restored by 1810. Our Lady of Altagracia remains the patroness of Quíbor and the Natives celebrate her feast day on both January 21, when the men offer devotions, and January 22, when it’s the women’s turn to do so. It is also a time when faithful put more effort into performing acts of mercy.
References:
Alson, Javier and Antonio Larocca. “Las Advocaciones Marianas.” University of Dayton. Accessed April 12, 2024.
“Latin American Titles of Mary.“ University of Dayton. Accessed April 12, 2024.
Santoro, Nicholas Joseph. Mary in Our Life: Atlas of the Names and Titles of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Bloomington: iUniverse, 2011.
Researched by Anne E. Keefe
Popular Devotions
Feast day is January 21st
Protector and Queen of the hearts of the Dominicans.
First shrine was completed in 1572, and in 1971 the present Basilica was consecrated.
Citation – Marian Library Holy Card Collection ML.031
Hail Mary
Dios te salve, María. Llena eres de gracia: El Señor es contigo.
Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres.
Y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre: Jesús.
Santa María, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros pecadores,
ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte.
Amen.