Our Lady of the Thirty-Three
| Our Lady of the Thirty-Three | |
| Feast Day | Second Sunday of November |
|---|---|
| Country | Uruguay |
| Patronage | Uruguay |
| Primary Shrine | Cathedral Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three Florida, Uruguay |
| Shrine Coordinates | -34.0992, -56.2142 |
| Origin / Discovery | 18th century |
| Proclaimed Patron | November 21, 1930 |
| Canonical Coronation | May 21, 1961 |
| Image Type | Wooden statue (Guaraní mission art) |
| Height | approx. 38 cm |
| Attributes | Oversized golden crown; blue mantle with stars; hands joined in prayer |
| Associated Countries | |
Our Lady of the Thirty-Three (Nuestra Señora de los Treinta y Tres) is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary honoured as the principal patroness of Uruguay. The 18th-century Guaraní wooden statue of the Immaculate Conception, distinguished by its oversized golden crown, has been venerated since 1857 at the Cathedral Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three in Florida, Uruguay.
History
Origin of the image
The small wooden statue of the Immaculate Conception was carved by Guaraní artisans in one of the Jesuit missions of the former Province of Paraguay (present-day Paraguay, northern Argentina, or Uruguay) during the 18th century, before the 1767 expulsion of the Jesuits.[1]
Arrival or foundational miracle
On 19 April 1825 the Thirty-Three Orientals, led by Juan Antonio Lavalleja, landed at the Playa de la Agraciada to begin the campaign that would lead to Uruguay’s independence. Exhausted, they entered the humble chapel of Pintado (today Florida) and placed their liberation effort under the protection of the small mission statue. Their unexpected victory gave the image its enduring title “of the Thirty-Three.”[2]
Early veneration and first shrine
The statue remained in the original chapel until the new parish church of San Cono in Florida was completed; it was solemnly transferred there in 1857. Devotion spread rapidly among veterans of the independence wars and the gaucho population of the new republic.[1]
Role in national history
On 21 November 1930 Pope Pius XI solemnly proclaimed Our Lady of the Thirty-Three principal patroness of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (AAS 23 [1931], pp. 206–207). The Uruguayan bishops renewed the national consecration on 25 August 1935, and the title was inscribed in the Constitution of 1967 (art. 5). During the civic-military dictatorship (1973–1985) she became a symbol of reconciliation; the bishops renewed the consecration again in 1988 and in 2015 a replica toured the country promoting peace.[2][3]
Description of the image
Physical characteristics
Polychromed cedar-wood statue, approximately 38 cm tall (including original base). The original 18th-century polychrome is largely preserved on the face and hands; the body has been re-polychromed several times.[1]
Iconography and style
The statue represents the Immaculate Conception according to the classic Jesuit-Guaraní model: the Virgin stands with hands joined in prayer, on a crescent moon and cloud base with cherub heads, wearing a white tunic and blue mantle spangled with golden stars. The style belongs to the late Baroque of the Paraná–Uruguay missions.[4]
Canonical coronation and crown(s)
By decree of Pope John XXIII dated 8 December 1960, the image was granted canonical coronation; the solemn rite was performed on 21 May 1961 by Cardinal Antonio María Barbieri. The present oversized crown is gold set with precious stones donated by the faithful.[5]
Distinctive or symbolic features
The disproportionately large canonical crown—almost half the height of the statue—is the image’s most instantly recognisable trait. The celestial-blue mantle with golden stars echoes the colours later adopted in the Uruguayan national flag.[2]
Current dressing and presentation
The statue is permanently dressed in rich embroidered vestments that completely cover the carved body, leaving only the face, joined hands, and crescent moon visible. The mantle is changed for major solemnities; on the annual feast the bare wooden image is briefly exposed for veneration.[1]
Shrines and pilgrimage
Principal shrine
The original image has been venerated since 1857 in the Cathedral Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three in Florida, Uruguay—the only cathedral in the world dedicated under this title, elevated to cathedral rank in 1956 and declared a national historic monument in 1975.[1]
Other notable shrines
- Cathedral of Montevideo – houses a canonically crowned replica (1963)
- Shrine of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three, Paysandú – major regional pilgrimage site
- Church of the Thirty-Three Orientals, Playa de la Agraciada – commemorates the 1825 landing
Pilgrimage tradition
The national pilgrimage occurs on the second Sunday of November, attracting 120,000–150,000 faithful (diocesan figures 2024). Many travel on foot or horseback from across Uruguay; gaucho horsemen in traditional dress form an honour guard, a distinctive feature of Uruguayan devotion.[2]
Papal visits and major events
- 1987 – St John Paul II prayed before the image in Florida cathedral
- 1988 – St John Paul II bestowed a Golden Rose upon the sanctuary
Patronage and proclamations
National patronage
Our Lady of the Thirty-Three was proclaimed principal patroness of Uruguay by Pope Pius XI on 21 November 1930 (AAS 23 [1931], pp. 206–207). The bishops renewed the consecration of the nation in 1935, 1988, and 2015; her patronage is recognised in the Constitution of 1967 (art. 5).[3][2]
Canonical coronation
The original statue was canonically crowned by papal decree of Pope John XXIII (8 December 1960); the ceremony took place on 21 May 1961.[5]
Miracles and reported graces
Foundational miracle
The decisive event was the prayer of the Thirty-Three Orientals before the image on 19 April 1825 and their subsequent victory against superior forces, which directly contributed to Uruguay’s independence (historical fact recorded in Lavalleja’s own correspondence and national archives).[2]
Historically attested favours
- 1825–1828 – repeated protection attributed during the Cisplatine War by combatants and civilians (contemporary chronicles)
- 19th century – numerous healings and favours recorded in Florida parish books (preserved in diocesan archive)
Notable modern graces
- Annual healings and conversions reported during the November pilgrimage (diocesan bulletin 2020–2024)
- 1970s–1980s – widely recognised role as focus of prayer and non-violent resistance during the dictatorship
Feast day
Principal feast
The principal feast of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three is celebrated on the second Sunday of November. It is the most important Marian celebration in Uruguay and a day of obligation in the Diocese of Florida.
National celebrations
Tens of thousands converge on Florida for dawn Masses, outdoor liturgies, and a solemn afternoon procession with the original image. Gaucho horsemen accompany the procession; the events are broadcast nationwide.[1]
Secondary feasts
- 19 April – local commemoration in Florida of the prayer of the Thirty-Three Orientals (1825)
Devotion and cultural impact
Symbols in national life
The celestial blue and white of the Virgin’s mantle inspired the colours of the Uruguayan flag created by the Thirty-Three Orientals in 1825. Military and police oaths include her invocation; the traditional patriotic cry remains “¡Viva la Patria y la Virgen de los Treinta y Tres!”[2]
Artistic and literary presence
- Featured in the epic poem Tabaré by Juan Zorrilla de San Martín
- Numerous gaucho payadas and folk songs
- Patroness of the Catholic University of Uruguay
Role in crises and reconciliation
During the 1973–1985 dictatorship, clandestine gatherings before her replicas symbolised hope. National consecrations were renewed in 1988 (return to democracy) and 2015 (promotion of peace and dialogue).[2]
Prayer
O Virgin of the Thirty-Three, Mother and Patroness of Uruguay, you accompanied our liberators and have never ceased to watch over this land. Obtain for us the grace of living in justice and peace, united as one family under your protection. Amen.
— Approved prayer of the Uruguayan Bishops’ Conference
Related
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Historia de la Virgen de los Treinta y Tres". Catedral Santuario de Florida. https://catedraldeflorida.uy/historia/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Patronos Nacionales". Conferencia Episcopal del Uruguay. https://iglesia.catolica.uy/uruguay/patronos-nacionales/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Acta Apostolicae Sedis 23: 206–207. 1931. https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-23-1931-ocr.pdf.
- ↑ "Our Lady of the Thirty-Three". MaryPages. https://www.marypages.com/our-lady-of-the-thirty-three-(uruguay).html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Virgen de los Treinta y Tres". ACI Prensa. https://www.aciprensa.com/recurso/2435/virgen-de-los-treinta-y-tres.