Our Lady Refuge of Sinners

In 1709, the Blessed Jesuit Baldinucci called Our Lord Refugio de los Pecadores to a copy of Our Lord.
from the Encina de Prato, which he used in his missions. This image is currently in the
sanctuary of Frascati.

This is one of the most venerated advocations of the Blessed Virgin, as Advocate,
Helper and Mediator before Christ Our Lord, whose feast is celebrated on July 4th, for
It was on July 4, 1719, when she was crowned with that name.

Pope Clement XI, Supreme Pontiff during the first 21 years of the 18th century (from 1700 to
1721), was who granted him the papal coronation under that title: Our Lady of
Refuge of Sinners. It was the time of the schismatic errors of the Jansenists that
they cooled the mercy and devotion of the faithful, and also times of great plagues that
They left many deaths in Europe; more in Italy and France.

Origins of the Advocacy

The devotion to Our Lady Most Holy Mary of the Refuge of Sinners comes from
Italy.

Around the year 1709, Blessed Jesuit Antonio Baldinucci made a copy of an image of
Our Lady of the Oak that was venerated in Poggio Prato, Italy, near Monte
Pulciano. This holy image was called Our Lady of Refuge for sinners.

Blessed Antonio Baldinucci, in his zeal for the conversion of sinners, wanted to take
I obtain Our Lady of Refuge, and thus I called her during my missionary adventures.

Today, that first copy of Nuestra Señora Refugio de Pecadores is preserved and venerated in the
city of Frascati, southeast of Rome, on the way to Naples, whose sanctuary is very
recognized as a center of pilgrimages.

In that same 18th century, around the year 1750, the Jesuit missionaries of the Company of
Jesus, following the example of Blessed Antonio Baldinucci, took several copies of that image and the
They were made known in the missions they preached and in the very temples under their care. The
the fact is that many Mexican boys and girls are baptized with the name of José or
María del Refugio: "Cuco" or "Cuquita", as they are affectionately called, is due to
rooting of the devotion to the Most Holy Virgin, Refuge of Sinners.

THE IMAGE

This devotion to the Most Holy Virgin has instilled great fervor in the Christian people.
causing the conversion of many sinners. It is the reason for calling it "Refuge of the
fishers.

It is a bas-relief found in a hayloft and placed in the hollow of a tree.

forest near Mount Pulciano.

Father Baldinucci was looking for a Marian image "that would be his companion, guide, and teacher.
in the missions" that succeeded in reforming customs, evoking devotion, and attracting
the favors of María upon her devotees.
The Virgin of Refuge is depicted seated with the Child standing on her lap.
Virgin full of tenderness who bends her face towards her son.

The temples of Mary, like those of her Son, are crowned with a royal diadem set with jewels.
in gemstones. Their garments consist of a pink tunic and a blue cloak, in addition to the
a hazel-colored cloth that surrounds his neck and crosses his chest. The Baby Jesus, for his part,
you wore a light 'modesty cloth' or a long tunic made of translucent and airy fabric. It intertwines
his hands with those of Maria who holds him and thus he can place his feet on her or on top
of a bank of clouds. Some clusters or floral guides trace a festive arch and occupy the
top part of the images.

Both during the life of Father Baldenucci and after his death, that of the Refuge was a
image of a mission on earth of the relaxed or gentle and with a pilgrim vocation, those
properties were preserved in the American world especially in some regions such as
Zacatecas, the Bajío, and Puebla where it should be noted that more than seventy corner niches were
erected during the last decades of the 18th century.

His devotion reached as far as Alta California and as far south as Guatemala. In 1719 he arrived at the
New Spain, the first print brought by the Jesuit Juan José Giuca, who had
witnessed the papal coronation in Frascati.

A little later, coming from Italy, the first painted image arrived. The image was
crowned by the hands of Cardinal Albani thanks to a concession from Pope Clement XI, on the 4th
from July 1717 and is currently preserved in Frascati.

In the same eighteenth century (1719), several copies of that image arrived in Mexico that influenced
in the apostolic work of the missionaries for the conversion of countless sinners,
apparently on the same date of the coronation, its patronage was established, which coincides with one of
the invocations of the Litany of Loreto: Refuge of sinners.

TYPICAL FEATURES OF THIS ADVOCACY

Since the beginnings of the devotion spread by Blessed Antonio Baldinucci, there was already talk of the
a peculiar trait that distinguished Our Lady in the invocation "of the Refuge", by which
through his intercession and mediation before the One Mediator, Jesus Christ Our Lord,
it constituted a safe refuge for our pilgrimage in this world, with all its dangers,
anguishes and struggles.

This is how it was known from the beginning. And, furthermore, very especially, as a refuge to reach
the grace of the conversion of sinners, many of whom are hardened, who sought their
repentance and refuge in Our Lady during the process of her conversion. Such
Devotion has always awakened great fervor in its sanctuaries, where miracles are recorded.
and significant spiritual conversions.

His Holiness John Paul II, with his Marian fervor, insisted in his homily delivered in the
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Zapopan (January 30, 1979), in the function of those temples
as 'places of conversion, penance, and reconciliation with God.' And he surely
I well knew the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Refuge there in Frascati, near Rome,
when he affirmed: "She (in this special invocation, we could say), awakens in
we the hope of amendment and perseverance in good." And even more, when
She allows us to overcome the multiple structures of sin in which she is.
wrapped in our personal, family, and social life.

With the Papal exhortation, the devotion to Our Lady Refuge of is confirmed and strengthened.
Sinners, whom the Church commemorates on July 4th of each year.

IN MEXICO

This devotion transferred to the American continent through the Jesuits who promoted it.
New Spain.

An image arrived in the city of Puebla and "Being present in Frascati at the said
solemnity of the coronation of the image, Father Juan José Giuca of our Company, and
having come to this mission in this province in the year 1719, HE BROUGHT THE FIRST PRINT.
and gave the first news of the great Queen and Lady of the Refuge; and having dedicated to
apostolic ministry of missionary work in various places, especially from the diocese of Puebla,
publishing the wonders of Our Lady, there was such commotion everywhere,
that to promote love and devotion for the Lady of the Refuge, they were printed in
various sheets, more than four hundred thousand prints, which were soon sold because of
they were requested everywhere

The Jesuit Father Juan Antonio de Oviedo in his book Zodiaco Mariano (Mexico-1750) says that
In the year 1744, while in Puebla, Father José María Guadalupe y Alcibia
apostolic preacher of the College of Propaganda Fide of Zacatecas, negotiated and took with him
a copy of said sovereign Image, and in a letter dated in Zacatecas on May 25
1746, written by Father Juan José Giuca, who was the one who gave the image,” in this letter it says
that for a period of nine months that he was on a mission, the devotion was such that in
processions counted up to fourteen thousand torches, and "After the missions were completed,
the sacred Image was placed on the main altar of the Church of said College,
surrounded by silver votes, bodies, feet, heads, that the devotion of the faithful
they were lent in acknowledgment of the benefits received.

The Missions of the Apostolic College of Propaganda Fide of Guadalupe had as its patroness
Our Lady of Sorrows. This invocation was also held by the College of the Holy Cross.
from Querétaro, and upon the arrival of this image of the Refuge at the Colegio de Guadalupe, they chose to
to name Our Lady of the Refuge of Sinners as the patroness of the Missions, that she
they spread throughout northern Mexico.

In 1844, the Franciscans of the College of Guadalupe celebrated the arrival of the Image of
Refuge, and the hundred years also celebrated the pleasant event. And finally in the year
In 1994, the image that is now found in a crucero of the Convent was restored.
Guadalupe and the 250th anniversary of the arrival of this image was celebrated.

By 1854 the Franciscans published a devotional titled 'Apostolic Quiver -

Guadalupana, which contains the songs and saetas reduced to the precise for the utility of
the missionaries, the preparation to preach and the common blessings. By a religious of
Apostolic College of Our Lady of Guadalupe of Zacatecas. In this book, there is
the 'Devotional of Our Lady of Refuge, that is, novena, fourth day and Saturday
Mariano. A Religious from the College of our Lady dedicates to the same Lady.
Guadalupe de Zacatecas.
In the year 1874, the presbyter José Francisco Sotomayor dedicates a chapter to the history of
this image in his book 'History of the Apostolic College of Our Lady of Guadalupe'
Zacatecas. And in the year 1885, "The Devotee of Mary Most Holy of the Refuge was published.
"Sinners" devotional by F.J. Trinidad Macias.

On November 7, 1908, a print of Blessed Antonio Baldenuci carrying the

Image of Our Lady of the Refuge of Sinners. Similarly, an oil portrait was made of the
Blessed that is found in the sacristy of the Cathedral of Zacatecas. A year later, Fr.
Ángel de los Dolores Tiscareño published a great book in the workshops of Nazario Espinosa.
titled 'Our Lady of Refuge, patroness of the Missions of the Apostolic College of'
Our Lady of Guadalupe of Zacatecas.

The "Statutes of the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Refuge" were also published. Established
canonically throughout the Diocese of Zacatecas.

The devotion to Our Lady of Refuge is widely spread in the diocese of Zacatecas, and
Several temples and parishes have the Virgin of Refuge as their patroness, who they celebrate her
party on July 4th.