Marie de Nazareth
To Jesus, through Mary
The Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia or High Grace is located 112 miles from Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic. Our Lady’s title refers to the many graces she has received: she was "full of grace," in preparation for the highest grace, that of becoming the Mother of God. The shrine is also known as Our Lady of Nina, after the young teenage girl at the origin of the shrine.
A Spanish settler used to go to the city of Ozama to do his weekly errands. One day, his 14-year-old daughter Nina asked him for an image of Our Lady of High Grace. While in town, her father looked but he couldn’t find one. On his way back home he stopped at an inn and shared his disappointment with a friend. Then another man who had overheard their conversation took a painting out his bag representing Our Lady of Altagracia! The image shows the Virgin in prayer before the Baby Jesus, with Saint Joseph behind her.
Nina’s father excitedly offered to buy it from the man, but the latter would take no money and instead simply gave it to him. The next morning, the mysterious traveler was gone. Nina met her father on his way home on January 21st. The basilica shrine stands at the place where father and daughter met, in Higuey.
The feast and devotion began on January 21,1569, the anniversary date of the event.
Saint John Paul II visited the shrine in 1992.
The image of Our Lady of Altagracia depicts Jesus’ birth in the manger of Bethlehem. It highlights Our Lady’s maternity.
At the center of the painting is Mary’s face, in an attitude of adoration, hands clasped together. On her chest we notice a white triangular-shaped light, denoting the virginal birth of Jesus. Her head is covered with a dark blue veil that falls to her shoulders, and she wears a crown of pearls, symbol of her status as Queen, since she is the Mother of the King.
In the background is a large star, the one that led the Magi to the newborn Savior, surrounded by twelve stars, representing the Church, founded on the 12 Apostles.
In front of the Madonna lies the Child Jesus on a mat of straw, naked. Somewhat in the distance behind them is Saint Joseph, dressed in a red cape with a candle in his left hand.