The Holy Image
The "Moreneta" (the Little Dark-Skinned One), affectionately named for her dark color, is a Romanesque wooden carving from the late 12th century. Her color is the result of the varnish on her face and hands changing over time.
The Holy Image is a carving of Our Lady of Montserrat in Majesty with the Infant Jesus sitting on her lap. The Virgin Mary holds the spherical orb in her right hand, which symbolizes the cosmos, creation, and the perfect volume.
With her left hand, Mary makes the gesture of placing it on the Infant's shoulder, indicating that this omnipotent king is her son. The Infant blesses with his right hand, while his left hand holds a pinecone, a symbol of fertility and everlasting life.
Altogether, it creates an impression that is both majestic and gentle.
The legend
The first text referencing the legend dates back to 1239, demonstrating that Montserrat has been a holy place for many centuries, both due to the presence of the image of Saint Mary and the thousands of pilgrims who visit.
Legend has it that in the year 880, on a Saturday at dusk on the mountain of Montserrat, a group of young shepherds saw a great light descend from the sky, accompanied by a beautiful melody. The following Saturday, they went back with their parents, and the vision was repeated. For the next four Saturdays, the parish priest of Olesa accompanied them, and they all witnessed the same vision.
Upon learning what had happened, the bishop, who was in Manresa, organized a visit. They discovered a cave where they found the image of Saint Mary. The bishop proposed moving it in a procession to Manresa, but as soon as they brought it outside, the image became so heavy that they could not move it. The bishop interpreted this as the Virgin Mary's wish to remain in that place and ordered the construction of a chapel for Mary to be venerated on the mountain of Montserrat.
The Feast Day
On April 27th, the feast of Our Lady of Montserrat, Patron Saint of Catalonia, is celebrated, preceded by the celebration of the Vigil the day before.
Since the Enthronement Celebrations (1947), the Vigil has become as solemn and well-attended as the feast day itself, especially for young people. Every year on the afternoon of April 26th, the Sanctuary fills with youth who gather to share an atmosphere of brotherhood and friendship. Musical performances, special readings, and psalm chanting enliven the day, culminating in the celebration of the Vigil Eucharist. The Feast Day of Our Lady of Montserrat is celebrated with numerous folk and festive events, such as cobla music groups, castellers (human tower teams), and sardana dancing. Liturgical celebrations hold a particularly prominent place.
.jpg "La festivitat")
Spiritual visit to Our Lady of Montserrat
The spiritual visit to Our Lady of Montserrat was written by the priest Josep Torras i Bages in February 1889 (the following October he would be appointed Bishop of Vic) at the request of a group of young people who had founded the Spiritual League of Our Lady of Montserrat.
In 1981, on the occasion of the centenary of the patronage of Our Lady of Montserrat, during the Vigil of Saint Mary, a new spiritual visit was recited for the first time. It had been commissioned from the Catalan Pere Casaldàliga, Bishop of São Félix (Brazil). This prayer, instead of inserting the Hail Mary and the Gloria between the different petitions, can be sung with the melody by Brother Odiló M. Planàs using the antiphon: "Holy Mary, Virgin and Mother of God, intercede for us before the Lord, our God."
Spiritual Visit to Our Lady of Montserrat by Bishop Josep Torras i Bages
Spiritual Pilgrimage to Montserrat
Prayers to Our Lady of Montserrat
You can send us your prayer intentions at Offerings
