10/12/2026
On October 12, the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, one of the oldest Marian devotions in the world. According to tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the Apostle St. James the Greater in Zaragoza, Spain, around the year 40 AD—while she was still living on earth.
Mary appeared standing on a pillar of jasper, accompanied by angels, and encouraged James in his difficult mission of evangelizing the Iberian Peninsula. She asked that a church be built in her honor on that spot. The original pillar and a small wooden statue of Mary remain at the heart of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, a major pilgrimage site to this day.
The feast honors Mary as a mother who supports and strengthens her children in times of trial. It is especially dear to the Spanish-speaking world and coincides with the celebration of Hispanic heritage in many places. Our Lady of the Pillar continues to remind the faithful that Mary stands firm as a pillar of hope, faith, and maternal care.
Our Lady of the Pillar, pray for us!
