The Shrine (in Spanish Nuestra Señora del Pilar) commemorates Mary’s apparition to St. James that occurred while Mary was still alive. Fr. Eduardo Benlloch, SM, states that:
From the time he returned to France in 1800 at the age of 39, we see William Joseph Chaminade changed. He is not the same person who went into exile. He is decisive and knows where he is going. He has a personal missionary project and becomes extraordinarily creative. His life is not the same as it was before going into exile. Something clearly happened at Saragossa.(1)
Perhaps there was something about Chaminade’s experience at Our Lady of the Pillar and the vibrant, tangible expression of Catholic faith in Saragossa that fueled this change Fr. Benlloch references.
As we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar on October 12, how might you be mindful of your own journey of transformation and the ways you can be a catalyst for the transformation of others? How do you foster a vibrant, tangible expression of Catholic faith that motivates others to explore how God is calling and empowering them to engage more deeply in our Marianist mission?
Let us pray:
Almighty and eternal God, you gave the Blessed Virgin Mary, glorious mother of your son, as a pillar of strength to all who call upon her aid; grant through her intercession that we may be strong in faith, unwavering in hope, and steadfast in love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.(2)
For more on Our Lady of the Pillar and Fr. Chaminade’s experience in Saragossa, we recommend:
- Sharing Our Marianist Stories, Episode 45: Inspiration in Exile - Carol Ramey, former NACMS director and a sought-after presenter on Marianist topics, reflects on Father Chaminade’s exile in Saragossa, Spain.
- “Our Lady of the Pillar: Patroness” Bro. John Samaha, SM, shares the seemingly unbelievable but deeply interesting story of Mary’s first apparition in history.
Source 1: Eduardo Benlloch, SM, Chaminade's Message Today (Dayton: NACMS, 2001), 18.
Source 2: Marianist Family Prayer Book, 2nd Edition (Dayton: NACMS, 2019), 33.