Embedded Files
Our Lady of the Refuge of Sinners, Marian holy cards collection, ML.031 Box 26, circa 1675-2018. Marian Library, University of Dayton Libraries, Dayton, Ohio.
Country
Mexico
Description
The image of Our Lady of Refuge was originally venerated in Italy but has gained many followers and popularity in Mexico over the past couple of centuries. The link of this image to Mexico was established in 1709, by a Jesuit named Antonio Baldinucci who wanted an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary to move hearts towards mercy. He wanted something that he could bring with him on missionary journeys to towns in Italy that could serve as a reminder to the people for the consequences of their actions. Antonio wanted an image that he could use in his preaching to convince those who strayed from faith in God to repent.
Italian artist Joseph de Paez created a painting of Our Lady of Refuge of Sinners, and it was this image that Antonio carried around and used during his preaching. It was his intention to one day travel to Mexico and preach there as well but his health kept him back. However, in 1720, another Jesuit called Fr. Juan José Guica finally brought the image with him to Zacatecas, Mexico. Fr. Guica dreamed that the Virgin told him to ask the Franciscans there to promote her cult, and they did.
By 1793, the cult of Our Lady of Refuge of Sinners was so widely recognized that the Franciscans renamed the town Our Lady of the Refuge of the Lovely Marshes (Matamoros). In 1832, a Cathedral was built to house the image. Though an international Marian devotion, Our Lady of the Refuge of the Lovely Marshes is celebrated every year in Mexico on July 4.
References:
“Nuestra Señora Del Refugio.” On The Road In Mexico. Accessed April 12, 2024.
“Virgen Del Refugio.” Pregunta Santoral. Accessed April 12, 2024.
Researched by Courtney M. Ware
Popular Devotions
(Aztec Language):
eotl mitz pahcahyohui Maria
te temiticah in tlen cuacaultzin
in tlacatzintli cah ica tehua
huan ica tematzin
ticah ica nochi zohuameh
huan man ye ica Teotl
in xochicualli in moihtic tic pia
Jesus, mah ihquion mochihua
zohua Teotl Maria
te Nantzin in Teotl
topan xi tlahto tlen otic huicaqueh necuil ohtli
cuac ye ti miquizcueh
huan cuac yo ti miqueh
mah ihquion mochihua
Four main prayers - Prayer of Confidence, Refuge of Sinners, to obtain
Holy Perseverance, Deliverance from hell
"Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
O Mary, pray for us, and save us."
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.
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