In the city of Pontevedra, Spain, a fascinating church houses a statue of Our Lady of Refuge, the Divine Pilgrim, the patroness of Pontevedra. The church is on the Portuguese route of the Road to Santiago de Compostela (Camino de Santiago), Spain’s most popular and traditional Catholic pilgrimage destination.
The statue is also known in the area as Our Lady, the Virgin of the Way (Nuestra Señora la Virgen del Camino ). She protects and leads pilgrims as they make their way to Santiago, where they can venerate the tomb of Saint James the Greater.
Church of the Pilgrim Virgin
The Church of the Pilgrim Virgin ( Iglesia de la Virgen Peregrina ) is scallop-shaped, the universal symbol of Santiago pilgrims, and ends with a cross.
Located on Pilgrim Square, the façade of the church has an image of the Pilgrim Virgin at the top in a niche, and on each side, also in niches, one finds the images of Saint James the Greater and Saint Roch. All three are dressed as pilgrims.
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In front is an old fountain flanked by two staircases leading to the church. At the top of the church, two twin bell towers can be seen.
Inside is a crystal chandelier which dominates the nave. In a niche of the main neoclassical-style altarpiece, there is the statue of the Pilgrim Virgin with the Child Jesus in her arms, both dressed as pilgrims with short cloaks and walking staffs.
The scallop-shell theme dominates the interior with the beautiful scallop-shell stained glass windows. An admiral donated a large giant tridacna shell, which acts as a holy water font at the entrance.
Over time, the church has become Pontevedra’s most symbolic and important building. It has appeared, for example, on a coin and postage stamp dedicated to the city.
Our Lady of Refuge, the Divine Pilgrim
Our Lady of Refuge, the Divine Pilgrim, rapidly gained fame as a refuge for pilgrims coming from Bayona in the southwest of the province of Pontevedra as they made their way to Santiago de Compostela.
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The image inspired so much devotion that a confraternity was founded to venerate her at an altar built in 1757 in the church.
Today, the Virgin of the Way still protects pilgrims as they walk to Santiago. The statue has been the source of numerous consolations to tired pilgrims as they trek towards their final destination.
She gives pilgrims the resolve to continue their journey and the heroic courage they need to make acts of penance and reparation. In the end, she helps pilgrims make it to Santiago.
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