Our Lady of Atocha

Spain (8th c.)

 

Tradition says that in 720 there was a nobleman Gracian Ramirez, the mayor of Madrid, who, with his wife and two daughters, moved out before the Muslim invasion. There was a very ancient shrine on the outskirts of the town, in which a venerated image of Our Lady to whom Madrid’s mayor was very devoted; The town was Muslim so Gracian made furtive visits to the shrine. At one visit he saw that the image was gone. He went in search and began to build a new sanctuary on the spot where he found it. The Muslims attacked the construction and Gracian pre-emptively took the lives of his family. The Muslims were repelled by a great light and the family of Gracian came back to life through the intercession of the Virgin.

 

Text and image used with permission.
Source: "365 Days with Mary" by Michael O'Neill

Download the free "365 Days with Mary" app

365 Days with Mary

Listen to "365 Days with Mary" each week on The Miracle Hunter® on EWTN Radio