Our Lady of the Pillar

This Marian commemoration dates back to very early in the Church’s history. In fact, it is the first ‘vision’ of Our Lady. As the story has been handed down, Mary appeared to Saint James the Apostle (the ‘Greater’) in the year 40 or so, as he was discouraged in his evangelizing efforts in Hispania (Spain). It seems even Apostles have down days, and aren’t always successful, at least in earthly terms. She consoled him, and encouraged his return to Jerusalem, which he did, where he was martyred by beheading.

Two things make this vision unique: First, Our Lady appeared standing on a pillar, perhaps evoking the stylite hermits – the most being Saint Simon – who spent their lives so perched. Second, the Virgin Mother was still alive, making this her one and only bilocation, at least that we know of.

This got me thinking about other miraculous events in Our Lady’s life, and how much of a thaumaturge she might have been during her earthly sojourn. I suppose in light of her hiddenness – amare nesciri, love to be unknown and all that – she was not, reserving the main bulk of her intercession until heaven, like the future Saint Therese, only way more powerful.

Devotion to Our Lady of the Pillar was and still is widespread, especially in Spain, with an impressive basilica dedicated in her honour, completed in 1711.

Her feast was made canonical by the Sacred Congregation of Rites in 1723, to be celebrated on October 12th, which also happens to be the day Christopher Columbus discovered the ‘new world’, which he thought was China, or perhaps Japan, having no notion yet of what we now know as American, nor the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Hence, Our Lady of the Pillar is also the patroness of the Hispanic world throughout the world.

May she intercede for us all, and grant peace and good will amongst men. +

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