Pilar information

For the Argentine city, see Pilar, Buenos Aires
For the town in New Mexico, see Pilar, New Mexico
For the school in Creve Coeur, Missouri, see Our Lady of the Pillar (school)
Nuestra Señora del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar) is the name given to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her appearance in Spain. Her shrine is in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, by the river Ebro.
According to legend, in the early days of the Church, the Apostle James the Greater was evangelizing the Gospel in Caesaraugusta, but his mission was making little progress until miraculously, he saw Mary committing him to Jerusalem. In his vision, she was atop a column or pillar, which was being carried by angels. That pillar is believed to be the same one venerated in Zaragoza today. Miraculous healings have been reported at the scene.
In Zamboanga City, The Philippines, the Virgin of the Pillar has been venerated for almost four centuries. Her statue is embossed at the top of the façade of the 17th century Spanish military fort called El Fuerza Real de Nuestra Señora Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza. The military fort is now a catholic Marian shrine. The city has also a street named after her - Pilar Street.
Our Lady of the Pillar is celebrated on 12 October and is the patron virgin of Spain, the Hispanic peoples, the hispanicized city of Zamboanga as well as other municipalities in the Philippines, and the Civil Guard of Spain.
María del Pilar is a common female name in Latin American countries. In Spain, it is usually abbreviated to Pilar''. In Davao City, the Circulo Zamboangueño de Davao--through their collaborative efforts--was able to build a shrine in honor of Nuestra Señora del Pilar. The shrine is beautifully seated within the premises of the Magsaysay Park, where devotees could enjoy the cool sea breeze as they pray and honor the Lady of the Pillar. (...) more....

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