The Catholic Defender: Journey With Mary as we Travel back with her to 40 A.D. Spain "Our Lady of the Pillar"
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The Blessed Virgin Mary, while still alive, appeared to St. James the Apostle, whose feast we celebrate today, July 25, in Zaragoza, Spain.
According to the tradition, while the Apostle James was evangelizing in Spain, he was discouraged because of few converts, and the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him in Zaragosa, Spain, around 40 A.D. in a pillar. Hence, the name “Our Lady of the Pillar.”
This apparition is believed to be a bilocation, because Mary appeared to the apostle James while she was still alive in Jerusalem.
the Apostle James the Greater was proclaiming the Gospel in Caesaraugusta (present day Zaragoza) by the river Ebro, when he saw Mary miraculously appearing in the flesh on a pillar calling him to return to Jerusalem. The pillar, which was being carried by angels, is believed to be the same one venerated in Zaragoza, Spain today. Miraculous healings have been reported at the location.
The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the apostle James, carried by angels, and encouraged him to persevere in his mission, promising that the faith would flourish in that land.
This is considered the first Marian apparition in history and is unique because it occurred while the Blessed Virgin Mary was still alive.
The journey to 40 A.D. Spain centers on the traditional account of Our Lady of the Pillar, widely recognized as the first Marian apparition in history. This event is unique because it is a "bilocation," occurring while Mary was still living in Jerusalem.
Spain was known as Roman Hispania , a prosperous province and an extension of Rome.
The city of Zaragoza was then called Caesaraugusta, established by the Romans as a significant military and commercial center.
St. James’ Mission: The Apostle James the Greater (Santiago) traveled to Iberia to evangelize local tribes, but he faced severe difficulties and few converts.
On January 2, 40 A.D. (or October 12 in some accounts), James was praying by the banks of the Ebro River in Zaragoza when he was at his lowest point of discouragement
Mary appeared to him in the flesh, carried by thousands of angels. She came to console and encourage him, promising that the faith in Spain would eventually flourish and be as firm as the pillar she stood upon.
She left behind a jasper pillar and a small wooden statue of herself holding the Child Jesus.
Mary requested that a chapel be built on that exact spot, which became the first church in history dedicated to her.
Our Lady of the Pillar is the patroness of Spain, the Civil Guard, and the Hispanic world.
Feast Day: Her feast is celebrated on October 12, which notably coincides with the day Christopher Columbus sighted land in the New World in 1492.
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