Prayer to the Virgin of Montserrat, for petitions

Many prayers have been written to the Virgin of Montserrat or “moreneta” as they affectionately call her as signs of faith and devotion to her. Saying her name feels joy and well-being as a direct connection with her mercy. The essence of her comes from being the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, God and true man, only begotten son of God. By raising our pleas, she fills us with joy, knowing that she is the light that guides us on the path of faith and guides us to solve what anguishes us.

Her faithful followers pray to her with great love and wholeheartedness, humbly prostrating themselves before her majesty. Every soul who prays to her with faith receives her blessings and protection from any anguish, pain, or fear. The Virgin of Montserrat is our guide and merciful mediator between the faithful and our Lord Jesus, filling our hearts and souls with light, harmony, and blessings.

Prayer of Petition to the Virgin of Montserrat

“Oh merciful Mother, heart of love, heart of compassion, who always listens and comforts us, attends to our prayers. As your children, we implore your mediation before your son Jesus. He receives with mercy and compassion (make the request).

What a joy to know that your heart is always ready for those who pray to you! We yield to your pious care and mediation our loved ones and all who feel sick, lonely or hurt.

Help us, loving Mother, to carry our burdens in this life until we reach a share in eternal glory and peace with God. Amen".

Pray for us Lady of Montserrat

Oh Venerable Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, who always hears us and strengthens us, attend to our requests! As your children, we beg your intercession before your Son Jesus.

Receive with mercy and compassion the pleas that we make to you today, mainly (make the request). What a relief to know that your heart is always ready for those who pray to you!

We entrust to your tender care and mediation our loved ones and all who are sick, lonely, or injured. Help us, Holy Mother, to bear our sins in this life until we may share in eternal glory and peace with God. … Our Lady of Montserrat, pray for us. Amen! Pray for us, Holy Virgin of Montserrat.

Virgin Mary of Montserrat protector of pregnant women

Women believe a lot in the protection of the Virgin of Montserrat when they get pregnant, as well as when the days of childbirth approach. In Catalonia and other provinces of Spain there is a known tradition that pregnant women go to the Cathedral accompanied by their husbands and walk around the Cathedral nine times, as they walk around the Cathedral they pray to the Virgin of Montserrat, imploring for a pregnancy and childbirth without problem.

Apparently according to tradition, this ritual of praying while turning the cathedral is carried out from the eighth month of gestation, the couple praying to God and the Virgin praying the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory , nine times, pray the three prayers for each of the turns. They carry with them a stamp of the Virgin of Montserrat and a candle, which they light at the time of childbirth. In addition, other prayers are also prayed to him, such as the following:

Prayer to the Virgin Mary of Montserrat

“Virgin Mary, Mother of God, who sheltered Jesus the Savior in your bosom, we ask you to protect us at this time, when we confidently expect a child, so that we can accept him with love; educate him so that he “grows in wisdom, stature, and grace” before those of God; and lead him by our example to the Father's house. Amen"

Prayer to the Virgin of Montserrat to get pregnant

This prayer to the Virgin of Montserrat to conceive a child is carried out in three parts: The first part, we pray to the Immaculate Virgin Mary and we thank God the Father; the second part, prays for good health, love, protection, peace and freedom from all evil at all times. The third part prays for success at the time of delivery and to be well throughout the pregnancy.

Most Holy Mary!... You, who through the work of the Holy Spirit, in extraordinary Annunciation, became the blameless Mother of the Divine Child, son of God, and received the heavenly grace of the Divine and Immaculate Conception, fulfilling the prophecy of the imperishable Heavenly Father , to be with us, to bring and give to the world Jesus Christ our beloved redeemer.

That the Most High God graced you to be blessed among all women, that by the fruit of your pure and holy womb we will be saved, to you, whom the angels protected in your holy and sweet expectation, to you I dedicate this Prayer to the Virgin of Montserrat, in these months of my maternal pregnancy, I thank God for blessing me with a son, or daughter, and for his love, Amen.

Most Venerable Virgin Mary!, I come to you, beseeching, so that you protect the one who grows in my body, I humbly beg you, in this Prayer to the Virgin of Montserrat, to separate us from all evil, just as God away from your Holy Son. To the cruel tyrant, grant me integrity, so that they dissipate my doubts and fears.

Beloved Mother, the Lord is with you, creator of hope. May my sweet pregnancy not be in vain. Grant us health, peace, and love, so that we may be one more who follows and heeds the honorable teachings. Holy Mary, Mother of God, I ask your protection. Watch over the fruit of my womb. Oh, most sweet Virgin Mary, I repeat, pray for us. Amen.

Blessed Virgin Mary! That you have the Marian name of Virgin of Montserrat, I beg you with heart and soul; take away miseries from me, that I do not lack food with which to breastfeed my baby, that I do not lack anything to pamper and care for him, and that at the time of painful labor he has everything indicated.

I implore you, through this Prayer to the Virgin of Montserrat, once again, that during my pregnancy I do not suffer any tears, I give myself, I consecrate myself, freely and totally to our God, I appreciate your intercession before Jesus Christ our Lord, thank you I give you to listen to this my pleading prayer. Amen".

At the end of praying this prayer, offering to the Virgin of Montserrat, pray three Hail Marys, a prayer to the Archangel Gabriel and two Our Fathers, together with the Prayer of the Holy Sweet Wait, for seven days until completing seven prayers. In view that the number seven has to do with spirituality. When you are ready to pray, light a white candle and accompany it with a bouquet of white flowers, symbolizing purity.

Prayer to Our Lady of Montserrat

Our Mother and Lady, dear Virgin of Montserrat! At your feet I kneel this day to offer you our prayers, because at the foot of the cross you consented to be our mother and from that hour you are the Mother of all men, shelter of sinners and our brave mediator.

Receive our heart and our humble and heartfelt prayer because as son and daughters we entrust ourselves to You, our heavenly patron. You who are the true hope of all of us who walk in this valley of tears, be charitable and merciful with those of us who turn to You.

You who, being docile and submissive to the Lord's plans, became our caring Mother and cause of our joy, increase our virtues and remove all evil and danger, illuminate our thoughts and strengthen our will.

Open our hearts and flood us with feelings of mercy, to reach our neighbor with true gestures of love, comforting the sad and lovingly helping to carry the cross to those who can no longer hold it. Oh Heavenly Lady, Our Lady of Montserrat!

Properly attend to my plea and mediate for me before the throne of your Son so that you help me to get out of this serious reality that is the cause of my anguish and despair: (a brief silence is made and with great faith the request of the funny).

Pious and wonderful Lady, You who always give us maternal comfort, receive with compassion the request that I present to you. I implore you, before the Lord, to take pity on my difficult circumstance and grant me a quick solution if what I ask is convenient for my eternal salvation. Amen".

Request: “Assist me divine Lady of Montserrat”. “Assist me divine Lady of Montserrat”. “Assist me divine Lady of Montserrat”. Pray the Hail, three Hail Marys and three Our Fathers.

Novena to the Virgin of Montserrat

I invite you to invoke the Virgin by praying the following Novena elaborated, with prayers for each day of the Novena and, you can do it at any time, preferably prior to the feast of the Virgin of Montserrat, April 27 in Spain and September 8 in other Spanish-speaking countries.

At the beginning of the Novena, Sign of the Cross: With the sign of the cross, from our enemies, deliver us, Our God. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Act of contrition for sins: Have mercy on me, Lord, by your kindness, by your great charity, blot out my sins! Create in me, my God, a pure heart. And the firmness of my spirit resurfaces. Do not cast me away from your presence, nor withdraw your Holy Spirit from me. Our Lady of Montserrat, pray for us and our children.

Words to meditate on each day: Here you will learn different reflections to meditate on each day of the week, on the topics that are of most interest to parishioners:

DAY 1

The Lord gives us Life. The angel entered her house and greeted her, saying: “Rejoice! Full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Hearing these words she was disturbed and wondered what she could express that greeting. But the Angel told her: “Do not be afraid Mary because God has benefited you. You will conceive and give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus”… Mary said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1, 28-31 and 38).

Reflection: Mary spoke these words through faith. And so, through Mary, Life came to us. She, absolutely a woman, gave herself unreservedly to God, she showed herself totally requesting the action of the Holy Spirit and in this response she agreed to cooperate with the Grace of God.

Sentence: As we begin this first day of the novena, we express to you, Mother, our love. We come with cordiality to ask you for our hardships, make us duplicate you in your Yes to God. Understand our request, attend to it.

To each intention we respond: For Mary, our mother, we ask you, Lord, for all fathers and mothers who are expecting a child. FOR THE INDIVIDUAL INTENTIONS WITH WHICH WE IMPLOY THIS NOVENA: Hail Mary.

DAY 2

The Lord invites us to put ourselves at the service of life. In those days Mary departed and went without delay to a town in the mountains of Judah. She entered Zacarias's house and greeted Isabel. As soon as she heard Mary's greeting, the child jumped for joy in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaimed: "You are glorified among all women and blessed is the fruit of your womb"! Happy of you for having believed that everything that was announced to you by the Lord will be fulfilled. (Luke 1, 39-45).

Reflection: Isabela's words "Happy you for having believed" are dedicated not only to that precise moment of revelation, but to the whole of Mary's life. On her way to God, Mary walked a path of faith throughout her entire life. And she did it heroically. In her “obedience of faith” she abandoned herself to God and “hoping against all expectation, she believed” every day, in the midst of all trials and setbacks.

Sentence: Mary, mother of God, mediate before your Son and show us how to love and serve others. That following your model of availability, we know how to accept life as the gift that God has given us; and that we can protect, nurture, and welcome that child we receive as a son. May we walk with faith and hope the paths that lead us to fulfill the will of the Father.

To each intention we respond: For Mary, we beg you Lord for those who wish to receive the grace of a child (FOR THE PARTICULAR INTENTIONS WITH WHICH WE PRAY THIS NOVENA)...

We pray. Blessed be Mary, Virgin and Mother, the Lord filled you with grace and joy in the sweet Waiting for Jesus. We beseech you for the spouses who desire the gift of a child, help them in this hope to support each other on the path of life.

DAY 3

God does miracle with our life. Then Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with mercy on the low estate of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name" (Luke 1:46-50).

Reflection: When Elizabeth greeted the young lady who had come from Nazareth, Mary responded with the Magnificat. It is the courtesy of her whole being towards God, manifested in a poetic, but simple way. Her words are illuminated in many sacred passages of the people of Israel and reflect the joy of her spirit, the happiness that stimulates her to be aware that in her the promise made "in favor of Abraham and his descendants is fulfilled forever".

Prayer: Mary, mother of Jesus, teach us to pray with faith, with innocence of heart and simplicity. Not only for our concerns but also for those of all those who suffer and need us and our word of hope. May words of praise flow from our mouths, as from yours, towards the Creator and Giver of life (See article: Rosario a San Benito Abad).

God Our Father, rich in love and mercy, may this time of waiting be transformed into an opportunity to grow in our faith and our dedication to others. May we find moments of joy and happiness and share them with those around us.

To each intention we respond: For Mary, we ask you Lord, for all the babies who grow and prepare to be born (FOR THE PARTICULAR INTENTIONS WITH WHICH WE PRAY THIS NOVENA). Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread forgive our offenses, as we also forgive those who offend us. Lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil. Amen.

DAY 4

"... And the time has come to be a mother". While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to be a mother, and Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the shelter. Lk 2,6-7.

Reflection: Mary gives her consent to God's choice to be the mother of her Son by the power of the Holy Spirit and her entire existence is marked by the certainty that God is by her side and accompanies her with his benevolent providence.

Our Lady of Montserrat, help us to be simple and poor at heart to nourish ourselves with your love and grow in faith and hope. Knowing that we must expect everything from your Son, our Savior. Help us that like you we live with the certainty that God is by our side and accompanies us with his divine providence.

To each intention we respond: Through Mary, we ask this, Lord, for the moment of labor and birth. (FOR THE PARTICULAR INTENTIONS WITH WHICH WE PRAY).

Prayer to the Virgin of Montserrat

Mother of God, Virgin Mary, who had the Savior in your womb, we beg you to protect us at this time, when we are expecting a child, so that we can have him with love; educate him so that he “grows in wisdom, stature, and grace” in God's eyes; and lead him by our example to the Father's house. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViiyasfKzpc&t=122s

DAY 5

Our son, God the Father's plan of love. When Jesus was eleven years old, they went up to the feasts according to custom, and when they were over they returned; but the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem, unknown to his parents.

On the third day they found him, in the Temple sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions: all who heard were amazed at his talent and the answers he gave.

When they saw him they were surprised, and his mother said to him: Son, why have you behaved like this with us? Look with what anguish your father and I were looking for you! He replied: Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must attend to my Father's business? They did not understand what he said. He returned with his parents to Nazareth and lived subject to them. His mother kept these things in his heart. Lk 2 41 and 46-50.

Reflection: During the years of his life undercover in Nazareth, Jesus "lived subject to them" (Lk. 2,51): subject to Mary but also subject to Joseph, because he acted as a father before men; hence the son of Mary was also considered by the people as "the son of the carpenter" (Mt. 13,55).

When the apostle tells us that “They (Joseph and Mary) did not understand what he was saying to them”, he emphasizes that even his mother lived in intimacy with the mystery of Jesus, son of God, only through faith. "Happy is she who has believed."

Sentence: Jesus, let us understand, with the help of your grace, those things and situations that are presented to us in life. Mary, mother of the living, who welcomed Life in the name of all and for the good of all, guide us on the path, protect our children and families. Teach us to be in the things of the Father.

To each intention we respond for Mary, our mother, we implore you Lord for our children. For our families. (FOR THE PARTICULAR INTENTIONS WITH WHICH WE PRAY THIS NOVENA).

DAY 6

Mary, our mother, is attentive to our requests. Three days later a wedding was celebrated in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus was also invited with his disciples. And, since there was no wine, Jesus' mother told him: "They don't have any wine." Jesus replied: Woman, what do we have to do with it? It is not my time yet. But his mother told the servants: "Do what He tells you" (Jn 2, 1-5).

Reflection:

Mary shows a new maternity, according to the spirit, when she goes to meet the needs of man. In Cana of Galilee, only one concrete aspect of the human need is shown, apparently small and unimportant, to run out of wine.

But this has a symbolic value. Mary places herself between her Son and men in the reality of her privations, poverty and suffering. In the role of her mother, she puts herself “in the middle”, she becomes an intermediary. She intercedes for men and places herself as the spokesperson for the will of her Son: "Do what he tells you."

Sentence:

Mary, mother of God, help us so that Jesus attends to our needs. Teach us to do everything He tells us and to ask in prayer for the knowledge that we still lack in order to have a taste for the things of God. That we know how to see the needs of those around us and we can generously offer ourselves, helping those who, at this fundamental moment, of their lives are alone and helpless.

To each intention we respond: For Mary, our mother, we ask you Lord for mothers who are alone. For parents who do not have a job. For the particular intention with which we pray this Novena.

DAY 7

Your son also has a mission. Speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers were standing outside and were trying to speak to him. Someone said to him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” Jesus answered, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” He pointed to his disciples and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mt. 12:46-50).

Reflection:

Mary is the first among "those who listen to the word of God and fulfill it" And for this reason, that blessing pronounced by Jesus refers first of all to her. Mary becomes, in a certain sense, the first “disciple” of her Son and through her faith discovers another meaning of her motherhood: a new motherhood according to the spirit and not only according to the flesh.

Sentence: Our Mother, Virgin of Montserrat, you teach us that more important than the physical bond is the relationship that is born and formed by fulfilling what God asks of us. Love is built day by day, so we want to serve the Lord and accept his will.

That we can be witnesses of what authentic love means by saying yes every day. Remember the families who have opened their hearts to adoption, help them in the joy of their generosity so that they can taste the beautiful names of father and mother. That having you as an incomparable model of welcome and care of life, they can give thanks every day, for that life that is given to them.

We respond to each intention. Through Mary, our mother, we ask you, Lord, for those who wish to adopt (FOR THE PARTICULAR INTENTIONS WITH WHICH WE PRAY THIS NOVENA).

The Prayer of this day is complemented by praying the Our Father and the Hail Mary and the Glory.

DAY 8

Love God above all things. When Jesus finished speaking, a woman raised her voice in the midst of the crowd and said: "Happy is the breast that bore you and the breasts that suckled you." Jesus replied: "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and the put into practice” (Lk. 11, 27-28).

Reflection: This phrase constituted a praise for Mary as the mother of Jesus according to the flesh. Through those words she has flashed through the minds of the crowd, at least for an instant, the gospel of the infancy of Jesus. It is the gospel in which Mary is present as the mother who conceives Jesus in her womb, gives birth to him and nurses him maternally: the mother-nurse referred to by that woman from the village.

Thanks to this motherhood, Jesus is a true son of man. With his response, Jesus wants to draw attention away from motherhood only as a bond of flesh, to orient it towards that mysterious bond of the spirit, which is formed in listening to and observing the word of God.

Sentence: Mary, Virgin of Nazareth, you who lived the dimensions of the human and the feminine in a perfect way, intercede for us, so that we may be attentive listeners of the Word of God. Take away from us everything that prevents us from practicing what Jesus taught us. Put in your mouth, your words, your intentions and everything that can open our hearts to good and love.

We respond to each intention. For Mary, our mother, we ask you Lord so that women can breastfeed their children, giving them their milk and love. Because all parents can help their children grow. For the intention with which we pray this novena.

We pray. Mary, mother of the world, we entrust to you the cause of life. Make those who believe in your Son know how to announce with firmness and love to the men of our time the Gospel of Life. Obtain for them the grace to accept it as an ever new gift. The joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout its existence and the courage to bear witness with confidence.

DAY 9

Jesus gives us Mary as mother. Seeing her mother and near her the disciple whom He loved, Jesus said to her: "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple: "Here is your mother" (Jn. 19, 25-27).

Reflection: Mary's motherhood, which becomes man's inheritance, is a gift: a gift that Christ himself makes personally to each man. At the foot of the cross begins that special surrender of man to the mother of Christ. Surrender is the response to the love of a person and, specifically, to the love of the mother.

For this reason, through the centuries, among the various peoples and nations of the earth, man addresses Mary, with veneration and trust, as one who addresses his mother, and seeks in her faith the support for his own faith. .

Sentence: Blessed Virgin, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, we know that you accompany us on the path of life interceding for us and for our needs, give us a strong and generous heart. Thank you because each one of us is a participant in the life of God. We ask you to teach us to respect, protect and defend life, especially the weakest and most innocent.

It especially inspires and protects those men and women who, conditioned by the environment and the circumstances that surround them, fail to see that life is always good. May they know that "nothing is impossible for God" (Lk. 1, 30-37) and surrender confidently to his benevolent providence.

Bless us and guide us on this path so that we can flourish in virtue and holiness. We trust in your intercession and we hope with faith that Jesus grants us what we ask for.

To each intention we respond: For Mary, our mother, we ask you Lord for unwanted babies, their mothers and fathers. For the abandoned children. For those who suffer. FOR THE PARTICULAR INTENTIONS WITH WHICH WE PRAY THIS NOVENA.

Virgin of Montserrat, its history

In the year 880 AD, while seven shepherd children were guiding their flock of sheep near a cave in the Montserrat mountain of Catalonia, they were chosen to witness his divine presence, perceiving a sublime mysterious music for seven continuous Saturdays, and being guided to where the beautiful melody was coming from with rays of light, which reached the cave, discovering a wooden image wrapped in a glow and angelic songs.

The shepherd children found a wooden carving of Romanesque art, about 95 centimeters high, in which the Virgin could be seen sitting and she is sitting on her lap with the Child Jesus. The representation of the Virgin is a slim figure with a long face and sweet gesture. Both the image of the Virgin and that of the Child Jesus have a crown on.

In the XNUMXth century, once the bishop of Manresana learned of the discovery of the image of the Virgin in a cave by the little shepherds, he ordered that it be transferred to the cathedral. When they got ready to start their transfer, as they advanced the image grew heavier and heavier until they could not move it. Deciding to return it to its place in the cave, the bishop ordered the construction of the chapel of Santa María.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC1mVHRHWs4

During the War of Independence in 1814, the sphinx of the Virgin was moved to Barcelona because the monastery in Montserrat had been desecrated, it was for a time in the Cathedral of Barcelona, from here it went to the church of San Miguel until 1824, once rebuilt the Benedictine monastery was transferred to it, where it stands today. Due to the socio-political situation of the country, it was not until 1844 that the cult of the Virgin of Montserrat was restored.

In principle, the parishioners and the church, in ancient times, luxuriously dressed the Virgin of Montserrat, wearing skimpy cloaks of embroidered fabrics, luxurious dresses and gold crowns that were stolen during the Spanish Civil War, by the Republican military, leaving the sphinx of the Virgin without clothes, as it is known today: beautiful, natural and humble.

Origin of the carving of the Virgin

There is a legend that the sphinx was carved by Lucas the apostle, who had made it in the carpentry of San José and had the Virgin Mary herself as a model. However, the real data is far from this legend in its entirety. The sphinx of medieval art dating from the 95th century in a romantic style. It is a statuette made of beech and white poplar wood, with a height of 17 centimeters and a weight of XNUMX kilos. The Virgin of Montserrat has the Child Jesus on her lap.

The Moreneta

The figures of the Virgin of Montserrat and that of the Child Jesus are painted in gold on almost their entire body except for their faces, hands and feet of the child. Because of the color of the wood and perhaps because of the soot of the candles, these are brown to black. The image of the Child Jesus has his right hand as if making the sign of the cross and his left hand holds a cone. As the Virgin of Montserrat, she holds a sphere in her right hand and makes a graceful movement with her left.

The color of their faces, hands and feet of the Child Jesus, which contrasts with the gold and black of the rest of the sphinx, earned it the nickname of the Moreneta. The restorers have verified that this color is not the original and that it is the changes that occurred to the varnish with which they painted it in its restoration of the XNUMXth century, due to the oxidation of the lead in the paint. In that restoration they also placed details such as the hands that she now has and the Child Jesus.

Day of the Virgin of Montserrat

After restoring the monastery, whose infrastructure had been left almost in ruins due to the damage suffered during looting and fires during the Spanish Civil War, it reopened its doors to the parishioners in 1844. On September 12, 1881, Pope Leo XIII named the Virgin of Montserrat patron saint of the diocese of Catalonia and proclaimed April 27 as the Feast of Our Lady of Montserrat. It is currently celebrated on April 27 in Spain and September 8 in other Spanish-speaking countries.

Advocation of the Virgin Mary

The Catholic Church with the purpose of venerating the Virgin Mary for being the mother of Jesus, in the 1881th century, instituted the liturgical rite of the canonical Coronation, to exalt her through her Marian invocations. The first to receive this title from the Virgin Mary in XNUMX, was the Virgin of Montserrat, when she was canonized by Pope Leo XVIII. From that date the church imposes her Canonical Coronation and recognizes her as the Virgin Mary of Montserrat.

Since then the Catholic Church has recognized other apparitions of the Blessed Mother Immaculate Virgin Mary, through the Canonical Coronation of the Virgin of Mercy in 1886; in 1889 the Virgen de la Candelaria and in the 1904th century in XNUMX, the following were canonized: the Virgen de los Reyes and the Virgen de la Misericordia de Reus.

According to tradition, it says that the invocation of the Virgin Mary of Montserrat occurs because she represents the moment that the Virgin Mary was gestating the Child Jesus in her body. For this reason, women who want to get pregnant or are already pregnant and want to achieve a good pregnancy and a delivery without complications, turn to the Virgin Mary of Montserrat for her maternal protection. They also pray to the virgin when they want to adopt a child or want to conceive and it is difficult for them.

Since her appearance, the Virgin of Montserrat is very loved and her devotion was carried by the Spanish during the conquest of America to the Spanish-speaking countries, increasing her membership and for this she is worshiped begging for the protection of pregnancy, achieve fertility for those who want to conceive, in Spain and other Latin American countries such as: Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Salvador, Mexico, Cuba and Guatemala.

Basilica of the Virgin of Montserrat

The first Chapel of the Virgin of Montserrat was built near the mountain sector where the image of the Virgin was seen for the first time. With the background of a spectacular rock formation of the mountain, it has been located since the year 888, according to historians, the chapel built in homage to the Mother of God. Donated by Count Wilfredo el Velloso to the Ripoll monastery.

The chapel of Our Lady of Montserrat is located 20 kilometers northeast of the city of Barcelona in Spain. It was built about 725 meters above sea level. The chapel itself has a height of 33 meters and only has a nave that is 68 meters long and 22 meters wide.

Later, in the year 1025, the Benedictine monk Oliba, abbot of Ripoll and bishop of Vic, started the construction of a new monastery in the hermitage of the Virgin Mary of Montserrat. With the acceptance by the devotees of her, as well as the miracles and prodigies that the virgin worked, they were the reference so that the pilgrims were more and more assiduous to this small monastery.

By 1409, this monastery, founded by the Abbot of Ripoll, became an independent abbey. Later, in view of the reforms, Montserrat became part of the Congregation of Valladolid. In the following centuries, this monastery was a cultural center, from which many accomplished composers emerged. Between 1808 and 1835, in view of the Napoleonic Wars and the confiscation of church property in Spain, it was nearly destroyed.

Fortunately, it was rebuilt and in 1844 the activities of the monastic life were restarted again, after the church managed to reestablish its activities in different Spanish monasteries and basilicas. Arriving, the recognition of the devotion of its parishioners and the miracles worked by the Virgin of Montserrat in 1881, in the Festivities of the canonical Coronation of the image of the Virgin, by Pope Leo XIII declared her Patron Saint of Catalonia.

Thanks to the efforts of the Catalan government, it managed to protect the monastery of the Virgin Mary of Montserrat, during the years of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), from being totally looted and destroyed. In our days, this monastery is updated and continues to receive visitors from different parts of the world, who closely follow the Marian devotion of the Virgin of Montserrat.

Miracles of the Virgin Mary of Montserrat

Since the little shepherds discovered the image of the Virgin on the mountain of Montserrat, many miracles have been attributed to her. One of his miracles dates back to 1339 when apparently the people of Manresa were going through a prolonged drought, the solution that would actually help them was the construction of an irrigation canal between the Llobergat rivers up to Balsareny.

Because the canal passed through land owned by Monsignor Galcerȧ Sacosta, Bishop of Vic, he opposed the project for about six years until the miracle of the three lights of Our Lady of Montserrat occurred. It is said that on February 21, 1345, at around 7:00 p.m., while the parishioners were in the Church of El Carmen, three large spheres of light entered through the windows, crossed the main nave, and settled in the Chapel of the Holy Trinity. After joining together, they shot out via Montserrat, ringing the bells.

The miracle that saved the soul of a father

In 1658, while in the monastery of Nuestra Señora Santa María de Montserrat in Spain, Father Bernardo de Ontevieros and Abbot Don Millán de Mirando were presenting some conferences. Knowing that the Abbot was in the monastery, a mother with her daughter went to him to ask the Abbot to give masses on behalf of her father who had died a long time ago. According to both, they said that the man was suffering in purgatory.

The girl said that her father was near the altar, kneeling and covered by fire. The abbot, not believing them, asked the girl to hold a handkerchief to the spot where she claimed her father was. The girl proceeded to hold the handkerchief, and to her surprise, it burned. At that moment, the incredulous priests confirmed that the girl was telling the truth. That entire day, the Virgin of Montserrat was praised with even greater faith.

Miracle of the Virgin of Montserrat in Venezuela

In the town of Santa Cruz de Aragua, Venezuela, the Virgin of Montserrat has been venerated since 1782, although this was not originally planned. The diocese had requested an image for that town. At the time of its transfer to Venezuela, two images had been requested: one of Perpetual Help for Santa Cruz de Aragua and the image of the Virgin of Montserrat for the city of Valencia. However, it seems that both virgins had decided which diocese they wanted to go to.

At that time, both images arrived in La Guaira and both boxes were transferred by oxen to the towns of Santa Cruz de Aragua and the city of Valencia. When the representation arrived at Santa Cruz, they received the Virgin of Montserrat and returned it to be exchanged for the image of the Virgin of Perpetual Help. To their surprise, when they were waiting for the changed image, the Virgin of Montserrat arrived again. Her message that her town had decided for her and since that day they honor her on September 8.

The miracle of liberation

This miracle occurred around 1846 in Spain when a father and son were traveling by boat from Barcelona to Murcia, to live with their other son, a wealthy man married but with no heirs. While father and son were traveling, a storm broke out, causing the ship to stray to the coast of Berbia. Upon reaching the port, the travelers were sold to Muslims, who separated them and imprisoned them in different places.

The days passed and while they suffered from separation and fear, both father and son, being imprisoned in different places, begged the Virgin of Montserrat for her help. The day of the Virgin of Montserrat was approaching, when a cellmate of the father who was a Christian proposed to celebrate it at night and invited him to participate, the crying father began to pray with great faith. The next night the virgin appeared to him in a very vivid dream, wrapped in light “have you called me? Here I am… and she vanished.

The next day he was without any kind of restraint and managed to get out of the prison without encountering resistance to easily open four prison doors. Without being seen he managed to jump the wall, all the time he was praying with great faith to the Virgin of Montserrat. Protected by the virgin, he managed to reach the beach without being seen, despite being chased by his captors. He managed to find his son for whom he had prayed to be released, they both cried with joy and knew that the Virgin of Montserrat worked a miracle. In a few hours two men rescued and saved them.

The Virgin of Montserrat apparitions

During the earthquake of a magnitude of 7.8 Richter scale, which occurred on April 16, 2016, in Ecuador. This devastating earthquake impacted several provinces of that country, ruining buildings, schools and others. Time has passed and people still remember the anguish of the moment, especially in the town of Manbi, a town where the minor basilica of Montecristi is located. In this basilica that day an extraordinary event occurred.

At the time that some faithful were praying in the minor chapel of Montecristi, the earthquake began and many of them, scared, ran to save themselves from the earthquake. When she was about to leave, she was stopped by a lady dressed in white who told them: "Don't go out here, no" and she vanished. At that moment a column fell and blocked that exit, everyone was stunned.

Other parishioners kept praying to the Virgin of Montserrat, despite the strong movement the image remained in place. None of the other saints fell or were hurt and none of the parishioners who remained in the basilica hurt them. The church paragraph reflected: “It was something extraordinary and surprising what happened in Montecristi, the image of the Virgin of Montserrat did not fall, despite the fact that the chapel suffered several damages.

The revelation of Our Lady Mary of Montserrat is the divine shelter and that she is there affirming her compassion, her light as well as her protection for all those who wholeheartedly believe in her power to mediate before our Lord Jesus. This is one of many works that the Blessed Mother does for her faithful; that is why she has protected us whenever we beg her holy name.

I invite you to read other prayers and stories about:

Santa Montserrat of pregnant women, all about her here