Our Lady of Africa
Ceuta, Spain (1651)
The pieta statue of the Virgin of Africa, patron of the Spanish city of Ceuta in north Africa, is the subject of a legend that after Emperor Justinian gave it to governor Procopius, it was hidden underground during the Muslim period (c711-1415) and then found illuminated on a hill. More likely, Henry the Navigator sent it to Ceuta after conquering the city for Portugal.
On February 9, 1651, a plague ended when the statue was processed. In accordance with a vow, officials process annually on this date to the Iglesia de Africa for a thanksgiving mass and floral offering. The main feast day of the Virgin of Africa is August 5. The statue was canonically crowned on November 10, 1946.
The Virgin of Africa was declared patron of Ceuta on November 24, 1949, and proclaimed Mayor on March 5, 1954.
Text and image used with permission.
Source: "365 Days with Mary" by Michael O'Neill
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