marian anniversaries     september

Nuestra Señora de Aguasantas, Jerez de los Caballeros, Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain

The Franscan Monastery of Aguas Santas stood outside the town of Jerez de los Caballeros until 1836, when Spain disbanded its monasteries, and the statue of Our Lady of Holy Waters moved to the parish church of Santa Catalina. In 1911, the Virgin returned to a new sanctuary built for her in the old location. In spring a romeria processes there. On August 15, the statue moves to one of four churches in town, returning to its rangeland shrine September 8. The Virgin de Aguasantas was declared co-patron of Jerez de los Caballeros in 1926. There are various stories about the name "Holy Waters." Some posit the existence of a healing fountain near the monastery; others say the Virgin got her name because of the help she often gave in times of drought. 

Image source: Dios te salve, María, www.llenadegracia.com