According to ancient and pious tradition, in the early years of the Church, on January 2, 40 A.D., the Blessed Virgin Mary was lifted by choirs of angels from her house to Zaragoza, Spain (along the River Ebro) in able to visit the Apostle James and to strengthen him in his apostolic work, to inspire him to continue propagating the faith and to promise him of her maternal care for the Church. It is said that the Virgin stood on top of a jasper marble pillar and she left that pillar with St. James as a sign of her maternal care and as a symbol of her promise that the people would be converted and their faith as strong as the pillar where she stood. Saint James became successful in the Christianization of Spain. After establishing the Church, he returned to Jerusalem and in 44 A.D. he suffered martyrdom (he was beheaded) under Herod Aggripa.

The Blessed Mother instructed the Apostle James built the first Chapel in the place of their holy encounter with the Blessed Mother. This was the first church of the Basilica of Zaragoza by the Ebro River. The Virgin's Pillar can still be seen and venerated inside her Basilica in Zaragoza.

The city of Zaragoza became a holy place wherein pilgrims from all the world (including notable saints such as John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Isidore the Farmer, Josemaria Escriva) flock to to venerate the Virgin's Pillar and to seek graces from her maternal intercession.

In 1456 A.D., Pope Calixtus III issued a Papal Bull encouraging pilrimage to the shrine of our Lady in Zaragoza. It was also through this document that the title "Lady of the Pillar" was confirmed. After careful investigation the account of the apparition of our Lady at Zaragoza was approved b the Sacred Congregation of Rites on August 7, 1723.

Our Lady of the Pillar is the patroness of Spain, the Spanish Civil Guard, the Hispanic Peoples, numerous churches and chapels (including ours). Her feast is celebrated every 12th day of October.