Our Lady of the Pillar

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Detail of the monument to Christopher Columbus in Columbus Square (Madrid, Spain), built between 1881 and 1885. Relief represents a Madonna and Child (Our Lady of the Pillar) between two angels.

Our Lady of the Pillar (In Spanish Nuestra Señora del Pilar) is the name given to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her claimed appearance in Spain. Her shrine is in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, by the river Ebro.^[1]

According to legend, in the early days of the Church, the Apostle James the Greater was evangelizing the Gospel in Caesaraugusta, but his mission was making little progress until miraculously, he saw Mary committing him to Jerusalem. In his vision, she was atop a column or pillar, which was being carried by angels. That pillar is believed to be the same one venerated in Zaragoza today. Miraculous healings have been reported at the scene.^{[citation needed]}

In Zamboanga City, The Philippines, the Virgin of the Pillar has been venerated for almost four centuries. Her statue is embossed at the top of the façade of the 17th century Spanish military fort called El Fuerza Real de Nuestra Señora Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza. The military fort is now a catholic Marian shrine. The city has also a street named after her - Pilar Street.

Our Lady of the Pillar is celebrated on 12 October and is the patron virgin of Spain, the Hispanic peoples, the hispanicized city of Zamboanga as well as other municipalities in the Philippines, and the Civil Guard of Spain.

María del Pilar is a common female name in Latin American countries. In Spain, it is usually abbreviated to Pilar.

In Davao City, the Circulo Zamboangueño de Davao--through their collaborative efforts--was able to build a shrine in honor of Nuestra Señora del Pilar. The shrine is beautifully seated within the premises of the Magsaysay Park, where devotees could enjoy the cool sea breeze as they pray and honor the Lady of the Pillar.

In the City of Manila, Our Lady of the Pillar is also the patroness of the Sta. Cruz church at the heart of the district of Sta. Cruz. This church is being administered by the Blessed Sacrament Congregation. The Jesuits had brought along with them the patroness when they administered the church during the Spanish era. In Sta. Cruz, Manila, her feast is also celebrated every 12th of October. However, the church has its Marian procession on the 3rd week of October. The district also celebrates its town fiesta on the same feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar.