Hoy es D?a de las Mercedes, Patrona de la Rep?blica Dominicana
[google translate]
Santo Domingo. Considered since 1844 the "Employer of the Dominican Republic", Our Lady of Mercy and Our Lady of Mercy is the spiritual mother of thousands of Dominicans who profess the Catholic faith.
Every September 24, the country is celebrated the day of the Mercedes, who is the oldest holy after owning the Marian title Merced dating back to the founding of the religious order of Mercy on August 10, 1218 in Barcelona , Spain.
"Mercy, forgiveness, compassion, mercy, they are synonymous with the word Merced, which define the particular mission that was granted to the Virgin, which was to have mercy Christian captives in the hands of Muslims, many of them members of the They order to exchange their lives for the prisoners and slaves.
The Virgen de las Mercedes is not only worshiped in Dominican Republic, also countries like Spain, Italy, Peru and Venezuela call special protection of this saint.
Legend has it that the devotion of the virgin on the island of Santo Domingo originates 14 and March 15, 1495, the return of Christopher Columbus after the trip where he discovered Cuba and Jamaica, where he found that the picture was in an uproar because rapes and robberies committed by their own.
To abuses committed by the Spaniards to the Indians, a coalition between the chiefs, led by Maniocatex, brother of Caonabo, he agglomerated a huge army of Indians in La Vega, to destroy the attacking strengths and Isabela.
According to legend, Columbus immediately set out to fight and get on a high hill, 5 kilometers from La Vega placed a cross of two meters in the center of the hill, with two branches improvised loquat.
This altar was made knowing that the Spaniards were so few that they would need a miracle to stop as many Indians as there were only about 220 Spaniards against 30,000 Indians.
"Coming indigenous and see the cross, they attacked directly to destroy it, understanding that the power of the Spaniards derived from it, the battle between the two and despite the heroism of the Indians finally gave victory was the Spanish."
The Spaniards recognized that this event happened in the filing of a miracle and rejoicing gathered to give thanks to the Virgin.
Since then Our Lady of Mercy is venerated in the Holy Hill, first Marian shrine of America, established at the direction of Christopher Columbus, who said in his will that the church was made.
In some cities such as Cabrera, Constance, Hato Mayor, Imbert (Bajabonico) Pimentel and Sabana Grande de Palenque, the Virgen de Las Mercedes is its spiritual patron and every year they celebrate festivities in commemoration.
Dominicans traditionally devotees make a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady until the Holy Hill, located in the province of La Vega, hoping to turn a profit and provide vows and promises to the Virgin. After the procession, the devotees partake of the Eucharist taking place.
Every Catholic parish celebrated a Mass in honor of the patroness of the Dominican people and for the Eucharistic liturgy of the feast of Our Lady of Mercy white color symbolizes peace, purity and joy time is used.
The Virgen de la Merced has characteristic features such as the tunic, the scapular and the layer, all in white, with Mercy shield chest, chains and shackle are badges of slavery. It has a gig with queen crown and the scepter in his right hand, while in other images in the left hand holding the baby Jesus.
Several institutions such as the National Guard and the Fire Department has also patroness country to the Virgin, who receive the protection of a spiritual mother who saved each of its outputs in response to a fire or to protect the population times when your help is needed.
http://www.actualidaddominicana.com...s-mercedes-patrona-de-la-republica-dominicana