Finally convinced it was miraculous, and it was the wish of the Lord that this image of His Mother be placed in an alcove of honor, above the Altar of Sacrifice, he ran to the Friars and the Custodian and confessed what he had done, not so much out of fear what they would do, but fear of retribution from Above!
Till today, more than four hundred and sixty-two years later, the image of Our Lady is still being venerated by the faithful of Tlaxcala, and those pilgrims, like yourself who read about Her. She originally was known as "Nuestra Señora de Ocotlatía," which translates into Our Lady of the Burning Ocote. She is now known as Our Lady of Ocotlán, in commemoration of the ocote wood, from which the image of Our Lady was made, and in remembrance of the place where the image was miraculously found.
The image of Our Lady seems to be carved of one piece of wood, standing a little less than five feet tall. The image appears to be pressing slightly toward you, beckoning you to come to Her that She might embrace you, lead you to Her Son. As we know Our Lady never aged, this image once again depicts Her as a young girl with delicate features. As in Her earthly life, and eternal life, the image shows the Mother of God in an attitude of prayer, Her delicate hands clasped together, reverently.
In 1746, The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ocotlán was raised to that of the Liberian Basilica of Saint Mary Major.[1] At that time, pilgrims reverently visiting the Sanctuary were granted the Indulgences, Privileges and Apostolic Indults which might be gained by visiting the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome (under the same conditions).[2]
Nine years later, in 1755, Our Lady of Ocotlán was declared Patroness of Tlaxcala. The Feast Day of the Apparition of Our Lady of Ocotlán is celebrated on Quinquagesima Sunday,[3] falling mostly in February.
In 1906, the Holy See raised the Sanctuary of Ocotlán to the status of a collegiate church, with its own chapter of canons; at that time granting permission to the Sanctuary for the liturgical crowning of the image of Our Lady of Ocotlán.
In sleepy Mexico, a land of contrasts, of the holiest and the most unsavory, there lies a strain of holiness and dedication unsurpassed anywhere. Here in a very charming little village, remotely hidden away, lies the secret of the Mexican heart. When you witness the faithful going up to the Altar, on their knees, in supplication, your heart jumps a beat and you know you are in the company of people who have faith! These simple people are true believers, who come and pray at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ocotlán, with ultimate faith, believing the Father desires to grant them miracles through the intercession of Mother Mary and Her Son.
When you feel a stirring in your heart, a longing to draw closer to your Mother, come with us and allow us to introduce you to this image of Our Lady that stole our hearts.
[1] Mexico: Land of Mary's Wonders by Father Joseph L. Cassidy
[2] Go to Confession, received Holy Communion within eight days and pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory be for the Pope's intentions.
[3] Quinquagesima - the first Sunday before Lent. It refers to the period of time of "fifty" days before Easter, which in early times was the beginning of the pre-Lenten abstinence. Occasionally the word is applied to the period of fifty days from Easter to Pentecost. (The Catholic Encyclopedia - Broderick)
Till today, more than four hundred and sixty-two years later, the image of Our Lady is still being venerated by the faithful of Tlaxcala, and those pilgrims, like yourself who read about Her. She originally was known as "Nuestra Señora de Ocotlatía," which translates into Our Lady of the Burning Ocote. She is now known as Our Lady of Ocotlán, in commemoration of the ocote wood, from which the image of Our Lady was made, and in remembrance of the place where the image was miraculously found.
The image of Our Lady seems to be carved of one piece of wood, standing a little less than five feet tall. The image appears to be pressing slightly toward you, beckoning you to come to Her that She might embrace you, lead you to Her Son. As we know Our Lady never aged, this image once again depicts Her as a young girl with delicate features. As in Her earthly life, and eternal life, the image shows the Mother of God in an attitude of prayer, Her delicate hands clasped together, reverently.
In 1746, The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ocotlán was raised to that of the Liberian Basilica of Saint Mary Major.[1] At that time, pilgrims reverently visiting the Sanctuary were granted the Indulgences, Privileges and Apostolic Indults which might be gained by visiting the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome (under the same conditions).[2]
Nine years later, in 1755, Our Lady of Ocotlán was declared Patroness of Tlaxcala. The Feast Day of the Apparition of Our Lady of Ocotlán is celebrated on Quinquagesima Sunday,[3] falling mostly in February.
In 1906, the Holy See raised the Sanctuary of Ocotlán to the status of a collegiate church, with its own chapter of canons; at that time granting permission to the Sanctuary for the liturgical crowning of the image of Our Lady of Ocotlán.
In sleepy Mexico, a land of contrasts, of the holiest and the most unsavory, there lies a strain of holiness and dedication unsurpassed anywhere. Here in a very charming little village, remotely hidden away, lies the secret of the Mexican heart. When you witness the faithful going up to the Altar, on their knees, in supplication, your heart jumps a beat and you know you are in the company of people who have faith! These simple people are true believers, who come and pray at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ocotlán, with ultimate faith, believing the Father desires to grant them miracles through the intercession of Mother Mary and Her Son.
When you feel a stirring in your heart, a longing to draw closer to your Mother, come with us and allow us to introduce you to this image of Our Lady that stole our hearts.
[1] Mexico: Land of Mary's Wonders by Father Joseph L. Cassidy
[2] Go to Confession, received Holy Communion within eight days and pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory be for the Pope's intentions.
[3] Quinquagesima - the first Sunday before Lent. It refers to the period of time of "fifty" days before Easter, which in early times was the beginning of the pre-Lenten abstinence. Occasionally the word is applied to the period of fifty days from Easter to Pentecost. (The Catholic Encyclopedia - Broderick)
