The people of La Altagracia province are preparing for the 15 August celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the crowning of the image of the Virgin of Altagracia, known as the Mother and Protectress of the Dominican people. The image of the Virgin is enshrined in the Basilica de la Altagracia in the eastern city of Higuey, half an hour from Punta Cana.
For the occasion, Pope Francis announced he is sending Archbishop Edgar Peña, Substitute of the Secretariat of State, to be his representative during the celebrations. He is instructed to place the filial homage of the Pope, symbolized by the golden rose, at the feet of our Mother of Altagracia.
“The loving gaze of the Mother contemplating the Child who sleeps trustfully on her lap is an invitation for us to learn to see, through her eyes, Jesus present in our neighbors, and to remember that we are part of the same human family called to live together in fraternity and solidarity,” the Pope wrote in his message, when making the announcement of the sending of his envoy.
“The Virgin of Altagracia has been for the Dominican people a source of unity in difficult moments, a sure hand that supports them in the setbacks that arise in their daily lives,” he added. “With her protection and shelter, she urges us to care for and keep burning the flame of hope that our elders bequeathed to us in faith, and to pass it on to others with humility, trusting in the Lord’s grace.”
Jubilee celebrations have been happening since 2021 to celebrate the centenary of the Canonical Coronation of the Virgin of Altagracia in Higuey. The jubilee year is about to conclude this 15 August 2022. For the Catholic community, it has been a year of pilgrimages and different celebrations dedicated to the Virgin.
Previously, on 5 August 2022, the coronation of the Marian image will be celebrated to declare her “Queen and Lady of the Dominican people”, the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo has announced on occasion of the start of the Jubilee Year. The place chosen for the coronation will be the Puerta del Conde, explained Father Acevedo de la Rosa, the rector of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Altagracia. The Puerta del Conde is the chosen symbolic place, as it was there where the cry of National Independence was given.
The Dominican Episcopal Conference has sent 12 replicas of the image of Altagracia to each Catholic diocese. Throughout the Jubilee year, the images have circulated in parishes and communities. The Catholic Church sees this as a way of “bringing the love of Mother to each family and to all Dominicans to raise self-esteem and confidence as a people after so many months of isolation.” The images were blessed in the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia, in Higüey, before they circulated among the Catholics nationwide. On the 21st of every month, as a remembrance of La Altagracia, a Mass is celebrated in each diocese presided by its bishop.
The Abinader administration completed the roads leading from the Santo Cristo de los Milagros Shrine to the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia, creating a “Path of Faith” of special interest for religious tourism.
Read more:
Vatican
Vatican News
20 July 2022