Virgin of Peace
Patron Saint of El Salvador. Her party is celebrated on November 21
In the year 1682, some merchants found an abandoned box on the shore of the Salvadoran South Sea; It was so well sealed that they couldn’t open it with their tools. Certain that it contained some valuable object, they tied the box on the back of their donkey and took it to the city of San Miguel. They hoped to be able to find there how to open it. They arrived in the city on November 21. With the intention of assuring ownership of the possible treasure, they first went to the local authorities to report the discovery; when passing in front of the parish church, today the Cathedral, the donkey lay down on the ground without anyone being able to move it from there. Then, without any effort, they managed to open the box and discovered that the treasure it contained was a beautiful image of Our Lady with the Child in her arms.
The origin of the image remains a mystery, since it was never possible to know what destination that box had, nor how it arrived on the beaches of El Salvador. It is said that when the image arrived there was a bloody fight between the inhabitants of the region and when the word of the wonderful discovery spread, everyone laid down their arms and hostilities immediately ceased; It is also reported that in the fratricidal struggles of 1833, the winning side, instead of taking reprisals, as expected, had the blessed image placed in the atrium of the parish and at the feet of Mary they solemnly swore not to hold grudges and erase the hatred of hearts so that peace might germinate in fraternity and reconciliation. Certainly a wonderful miracle. For this reason they gave the image the beautiful title of Our Lady of Peace, whose liturgical feast is celebrated on November 21, in memory of her arrival in the city of San Miguel.
The image of Our Lady of Peace is carved in wood. The national coat of arms of the Republic of El Salvador is embroidered on the front of the skirt of his white suit. The image carries in his right hand a golden palm in memory of the eruption of the Chaparrastique volcano, which threatened to sink the city in a sea of burning lava. The frightened inhabitants of San Miguel placed the image of Our Lady of Peace at the main door of the Cathedral and at that very moment the strong current of lava changed direction, moving away from the city. At the exact point where the lava turned its course there is a town called “Milagro de la Paz”. This happened on September 21, 1787 and that day everyone saw in the blue of the sky that the smoke that came out of the volcano formed a palm. Seeing in this a sign of the protection of the Virgin, the people decided to place a golden palm in her hand, similar to the one they had seen in heaven.
By privilege of Pope Benedict XV, the sacred image of Our Lady of Peace was crowned on November 21, 1921: a historic date that filled all Salvadorans with enthusiasm and Marian fervor.
The first Bishop of San Miguel, Mons. Dueñas y Argumedo – lying in the crypt of the Sanctuary – obtained from His Holiness Benedict XV the Canonical Coronation of the Virgin of Peace.
The ceremony took place in the park in front of the Cathedral. It took place after the Pontifical Mass officiated by Bishop Dueñas.
In memory of this event, each anniversary is celebrated with solemn Eucharistic festivities and a grandiose procession, carrying the Holy Image in triumphal prayer with great devotion and enthusiasm.
Also since then, the “Pilgrims’ Pilgrimage” was established in honor of the Queen of Peace.
On April 25, 1953, Pope Pius XII proclaimed Our Lady of Peace Patron Saint of El Salvador.
Prayer of intercession to the Virgin of Peace
Lord Jesus Christ who told your Apostles my peace I leave you, my peace I give you, do not attend to our sins, but to the faith of your Church and to the powerful intercession of our Mother the Most Holy Virgin of Peace.
For her we ask you, Lord, for the peace of our souls by forgiving our sins and giving us the grace not to commit them again. So that, having our consciences at peace with God, we deserve to obtain the favors we ask for in this triduum through the valuable intercession of your Most Holy Mother of Peace.
Amen.
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