Virgin of Divine Providence
Patron saint of Puerto Rico. Her feast is celebrated on November 19
The name and cult of Our Lady of Divine Providence originated in Italy in the 13th century. It was a very popular devotion that later passed to Spain, where a sanctuary was built in Tarragona. When Monsignor Gil Esteve Tomás, born in Catalonia (Spain) was appointed bishop of Puerto Rico, he brought with him this devotion that he acquired during his years in the seminary. The bishop had to put his diocese in the hands of Divine Providence as he found the cathedral almost in ruins and the finances of the diocese in the red. The bishop’s trust and efforts quickly bore fruit; In less than five years the cathedral church was restored and the cult of the Virgin of Divine Providence was immediately established there.
The original image, revered by the Servants of Mary and other Italian religious orders, was a beautiful oil painting of the Virgin Mary with the Divine Child sleeping peacefully in her arms. The title “of Divine Providence” has been attributed to Saint Philip Benicio, fifth superior of the Servants of Mary, because one day, when his friars had nothing to eat, after invoking the Virgin’s help, he found at the door of the convent, two baskets full of food whose origin could not be ascertained. The image that Don Gil Esteve ordered was carved in Barcelona according to the taste of the time. It is a beautiful seated figure, made to be dressed, but when celebrating the 67th anniversary of the Cathedral, in 1920, it was replaced by a magnificent all-wood carving that is the most familiar and best image of Our Lady of Divine Providence. known to most communities in Puerto Rico. The Virgin Mary leans over the Child who, in an attitude of absolute trust, sleeps peacefully on her lap. The Virgin’s hands are joined in prayer as she gently takes the left hand of her Son. The whole size inspires tenderness, trust, devotion and peace.
Pope Paul VI, in a decree signed on November 19, 1969, declared Our Lady Mother of Divine Providence, main patron saint of the island of Puerto Rico. This document also decrees that the solemnity of the Virgin be transferred from January 2 to November 19, the day on which the island was discovered. The intention is to bring together the two great loves of Puerto Ricans: love for their beautiful island and love for the Mother of God.
The oldest carving, dated 1853, was the one chosen to be solemnly crowned during the Council of Latin American Bishops (CELAM) that took place in San Juan, Puerto Rico on November 5, 1976. The day before this event, the image was brutally burned in the Parish of Santa Teresita in Santurce. And, in that state, the image was crowned amid the emotion and tears of thousands of her children and in the presence of cardinals, archbishops and bishops from all over Latin America.
Prayer to the Virgin of Divine Providence
Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Divine Providence, protect my soul with the fullness of your grace; she governs my life and directs it along the path of virtue to the fulfillment of the divine will.
Obtain forgiveness for my sins. Be my refuge, my protection, my defense and my guide in the pilgrimage through this world. Console me in my afflictions, rule me in dangers, and in the storms of my adversity, offer me your safe guardianship.
Obtain for me, O Maria!, the inner renewal of my heart so that it becomes a holy abode of your divine Jesus. Keep away from me who am weak, all kinds of sin, carelessness, laziness, weakness and human respect.
Oh sweetest Mother of Divine Providence! Direct your motherly gaze towards me and if by fragility or malice I have provoked the threats of the eternal judge, and I have embittered the most sacred heart of my beloved Jesus, cover me with the mantle of your protection and I will be saved.
You are a merciful mother; you, the virgin of forgiveness; you, my hope on earth. Make it possible for me to have you as a mother in the glory of heaven.
Amen.
Hymn to the Virgin of Divine Providence
Holy Virgin of Providence
Mother of Clemence,
Caribbean Honor.
Protector, Borinquen acclaims you.
Patron calls you and your shelter lives.
The Puerto Ricans, your beloved children,
They arrive confident to look for the goods,
that gives them with all the love,
by your hand, the child,
that you have in your arms
That child who rests calmly,
awake in the soul
in Borinquen dreams.
And he’s glad you wanted
by chosen throne, Borinqueña land.
Puerto Rico, extends its arm to you,
alone in your lap, rest yearning,
and asks you to remain constant,
being at every moment
his faithful protector.
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