One of the most important days for the Catalan community is the commemoration of the Moreneta, better known as the Virgin of Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia.
According to tradition, the image of Our Lady of Montserrat was first found inside a cave, located in Santa Cova, where the Virgin’s hermitage is currently located.
In those days of the 9th century, several shepherd children passed by there for several days and noticed a celestial melody accompanied by a beautiful light radiating from the sky. Impressed, they notified the rector of Olesa and subsequently the Bishop of Vic, who interpreted it as a divine sign.
Subsequently, the bishop decided to investigate the miracle. However, after many failed attempts to move it to Manresa, the statue’s excessive weight prevented this from being possible. Everyone interpreted this as the Virgin’s wish to remain in the place, where the construction of the current hermitage was subsequently ordered.
Every year, since 880, hundreds of devotees gather at the celebration of the Virgin of Montserrat to give thanks and pay homage to her miracles.
When is the Day of the Virgin of Montserrat celebrated
The celebration of the Day of the Virgin of Montserrat takes place on April 27th each year. And although she was discovered in 880, her commemorative history has had its ups and downs.
Shortly before 1924, during the War of Independence, she was moved to Barcelona to ensure she could not be stolen or destroyed. And although she could be venerated for a couple of years, the political changes of that time prevented her worship. It was not until 1844 that she could be venerated again.
Currently, Our Lady of Montserrat is known as La Moreneta due to her dark-toned skin, which can be easily distinguished from the skin tone of the Virgin Mary.
Also, the Virgin of Montserrat wears bright gold-colored mantles, crowns, and accessories, which is her original state, although during the civil war, she was stripped of them by several militiamen.
Despite her current color, several studies claim that she was previously of a lighter color; however, in the 19th century, she was painted and varnished again, so the evolution of the color has become as we can see it today.
Celebration of the Festivity of the Virgin of Montserrat
In addition to Catalonia, the festival of the Virgin of Montserrat is celebrated in other parts of the world where her followers attend masses to pay homage to the Catholic Church, in addition to the day the image of the Virgin was found.
In Spain, other cities where tribute is paid are Los Sauces and San Andrés, in the Canary Islands, as well as the town of Picaña in Valencia.
Likewise, in Central and South America, homage is also paid to Our Lady of Montserrat. The countries with the most followers or devotees are Ecuador, specifically in the state of Guayaquil, also Brazil, in the city of Santos, in Aragua, Venezuela, in a town called Cruz de Aragua, and in other places such as Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and Guatemala.
Every year, believers from different parts of the world hold masses to honor the patron saint of Catalonia, in addition to other commemorative festivities and celebrations.
Acts of the celebration in Montserrat
Since the Day of the Virgin of Montserrat is celebrated in various parts of the world, each locality has several ways of commemorating it. However, the two main activities that are carried out are a mass in her honor and a previous procession where all her followers carry the image to her church to pay homage there.
In Catalonia, the festival of the Virgin of Montserrat is one of the largest and most important. Therefore, in addition to a procession and a great mass, all young devotees of the patroness begin the celebration from the previous day, where they receive her with songs, readings, and other musical activities.
On April 27th, the day of La Moreneta, a series of acts and musical activities are carried out, such as stick dances, sardana dances, chants, casteller performances, among other events, to end with a beautiful mass in her honor inside the cathedral where the image is located.
Other locations in Spain share some of these traditions, especially the procession and the subsequent mass.
Mass of the Patroness of Catalonia
Today, after the limitations left by the pandemic and thanks to technological advances, it is possible to follow the commemoration or the procession from anywhere, as it is broadcast by some communication channels such as radio, television, or the internet.
Also, it is also possible to make donations, whether flowers or monetary donations, so that the faithful can follow the commemoration more closely, regardless of where in the world they are.
Undoubtedly, although that of the Virgin of Montserrat is the most important day for the faithful of Catalonia, the reach of her miracles is worth seeing and admiring from anywhere in the world.