Zaragoza, Spain
On October 12, 40 A.D., the Virgin Mary appeared to the apostle James while he was evangelizing Jesus in modern day Spain. Following some difficult times, James prayed for help. Our Mother Mary came to his rescue in an apparition where she reassured him that his mission would not end in defeat; the people of Hispania would be converted. She asked that a church be built using the pillar on which she stood and a statue that she gave to St. James (see photo pictured here). Both were to be used as part of the alter for this new church in her honor, the first known Marian shrine in history. The pillar and statue are on display today at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, Spain.
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