Our Lady of Mercy, or Virgen de las Mercedes as she is known in the Spanish-speaking world, holds a place of deep affection and reverence in the Dominican Republic. This devotion traces back to the 13th century, rooted in a divine request for compassion and redemption. The story begins with an apparition of the Virgin Mary to key figures, calling for the establishment of a religious order dedicated to freeing Christian captives held by Saracens. This spiritual legacy crossed the ocean with Columbus, embedding itself in the New World and becoming an integral part of Dominican identity.
The Historical Roots of the Devotion
The unique invocation of the Virgin of Mercy began on August 1, 1218, when the Mother of God appeared separately to three prominent Barcelonians: Saint Peter Nolasco, who would become the founder of the Order of Mercy; King James I of Aragon; and Saint Raymond of Peñafort, a Dominican friar. Each experienced the same vision of the Virgin Mary under the title of Virgen de las Mercedes. In these apparitions, she requested the establishment of a religious order specifically dedicated to the redemption of Christian captives. Responding to this divine call, just nine days later, Saint Peter Nolasco founded the Order of Mercy.
The core mission of this new order was to show mercy to Christians imprisoned by Muslims and Saracen pirates. Members of the Order, known as Mercedarians, frequently exchanged their own freedom for that of captives and slaves. It is estimated that they redeemed approximately 300,000 individuals from captivity, demonstrating a profound commitment to their founding purpose and embodying the merciful spirit of the Virgin of Mercy.
Crossing the Atlantic: The Virgin’s Journey to America
On September 25, 1493, a substantial fleet commanded by Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain on his second voyage to the Americas. This fleet comprised 14 caravels and 3 galleons, carrying around 1,500 men, including thirteen missionaries led by Father Boíl. Among these missionaries were two Mercedarians: Juan Infante and Juan de Solórzano. Before their departure, Queen Isabella I of Spain gifted these two friars a painting of the Virgin of Mercy to accompany them on their journey to the New World. This image marked the Virgin of Mercy as the first invocation of the Mother of God to arrive in the Americas, signifying the early spiritual foundations of the continent.
The expedition made landfall on January 2, 1494, at a site chosen by Columbus to establish the first Hispanic settlement in America. On January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, the first Eucharist in the New World was celebrated, attended by the thirteen missionaries. This significant event, marking the formal introduction of Christianity to the Americas, was undoubtedly graced by the presence of the painting of the Virgin of Mercy, symbolizing her early spiritual presence in this new land.
Santo Cerro: The Holy Hill
Juan Infante, one of the Mercedarian friars and confessor to Columbus, remained a close companion to the Admiral. Legend recounts that in early March 1495, while exploring near the fortress of La Concepción de la Vega, Columbus, accompanied by Infante, stood atop a hill and was captivated by the beauty of the valley he named the Royal Plain (Vega Real).
Overwhelmed by the lush landscape, Columbus decided to honor God by erecting a colossal cross atop the mountain – the first symbol of Christian faith in America. Subsequently, Juan Infante built a rudimentary chapel beside the cross, dedicated to the veneration of the Virgin of Mercy. From that time forward, the twin devotions – to the Holy Cross and the Virgin of Mercy – have been intertwined at what is now known as Santo Cerro, or Holy Hill, becoming a significant spiritual site in the Dominican Republic.
Columbus and the Enduring Devotion
The devotion to the Virgin of Mercy spread throughout the island, transforming Santo Cerro into a revered pilgrimage site, a place for reflection, and a center of profound religious devotion. Christopher Columbus himself, in a codicil to his will in August 1505, months before his death, instructed his son Diego to maintain a chapel where prayers could be offered for his soul. It is believed he was referring to Santo Cerro when he wrote, “and if this can be in Hispaniola, which God miraculously gave me, I would be pleased if it were there where I invoked her, which is in La Vega that is called of the Conception.” This testament underscores the deep personal connection Columbus felt to the Virgin of Mercy and the site of Santo Cerro.
In 1527, with the arrival of Friar Francisco de Bobadilla, the Vicar General of the Mercedarians, and twelve other priests, the Mercedarian order expanded its presence across Santo Cerro, Santiago, and Azua. They established monasteries in these locations, significantly contributing to the consolidation and growth of devotion to the Virgin of Mercy throughout the island of Hispaniola.
The Earthquake Miracle of 1641
During August and September of 1641, a powerful earthquake shook the city of Santo Domingo. Chronicles of the time recount strong aftershocks persisting for over forty days, resulting in 24 fatalities. Terrified, the city’s inhabitants turned to the image of Our Lady of Mercy located in the Convent of the Mercedarian Order. On the eve of her feast day of the Nativity (September 7), they experienced what they believed to be divine favor, and accounts of miracles began to circulate. In response to this perceived intervention, the following year, 1615, the Curia and the Royal Audiencia declared Our Lady of Mercy the patroness of the city and the island, establishing her feast day on September 8 each year. Later, in 1710, by Royal Decree, her feast day was moved to September 24.
Victory at the Battle of Limonade
On January 21, 1691, the Spanish army of Santo Domingo, under the command of Field Marshal Don Francisco de Segura y Sandoval, clashed with the French army at the Royal Savannah of Limonade. In this confrontation, the Spanish forces emerged victorious. The battle was fiercely contested, and during the fighting, the Spanish soldiers invoked Our Lady of Mercy. A banner bearing her image was carried into the heart of the battle, while soldiers from the eastern part of the island invoked the Virgin of Altagracia. Popular belief attributed the triumph of the Spanish arms to the divine intervention of these Marian invocations, particularly the Virgin of Mercy.
The victory at Limonade further strengthened faith in Our Lady of Mercy, and concurrently, the devotion to the Virgin of Altagracia began to flourish throughout the island. The Battle of Limonade took place on January 21, a date now observed as the feast day of the Altagracia, highlighting the lasting impact of this event on Dominican religious practices.
The Virgin and Toussaint Louverture
In 1801, Toussaint Louverture invaded Santo Domingo in the name of France. The day after his arrival, he attended Mass at the cathedral, where many faithful were praying. He requested the parish priest to place the Host in the monstrance and knelt in adoration with his hands crossed over his chest. However, his aides informed him that some of the women present were smiling sarcastically and, more disturbingly, that three Creole soldiers had turned their backs on him in disrespect.
Enraged by this perceived defiance, Toussaint ordered everyone to gather in the Plaza de Armas the following day, intending to carry out a general massacre.
The next day, as all the inhabitants gathered, men, women, and children separated and surrounded by cavalry with drawn sabers ready to execute the slaughter, Toussaint approached the women. Using his command baton, he touched them, asking, “French or Spanish?” When he touched Dominga Núñez, she rebuked him, “You are audacious, learn manners!”
Furious, Toussaint ascended the platform to order the massacre. At that moment, the clear sky suddenly darkened. Thunder shook the earth, and a space opened in the clouds, revealing a beam of white light. Terrified, Toussaint looked at the light and commanded everyone to withdraw. When his aides questioned his sudden change of heart, he exclaimed, “It was her, Our Lady! I saw her! I saw her!” The faithful interpreted this event as another miraculous intervention by the Virgin of Mercy, preventing a tragedy and further solidifying her role as protector of the people.
Virgin of Mercy statue with a golden halo and white and blue robes, holding a staff and baby Jesus, with a golden crown on her headThe Virgin of Mercy ©Dustin Muñoz
Patron Saint of the Dominican Republic
When the Dominican Republic was proclaimed on February 27, 1844, after the Trinitarios (Founding Fathers) launched the cry of “God, Homeland, and Liberty,” three exclamations arose from those present at that historic moment: “Long live the Dominican Republic! Long live the Virgin! Long live Duarte!” From that moment, the Virgin of Mercy was officially instituted as the Patroness of the Dominican Republic, cementing her spiritual and national significance within the newly formed nation. Her image and legacy continue to inspire and unite Dominicans, embodying faith, protection, and national identity.
By César Arturo Abréu Fernández
Compiler
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