The First Marian Apparition

Shauna’h Fuegen concludes a two-part series on the impact of St. James in Christianity and in her life.

While researching the feasibility of temporarily moving to Spain while my husband was in grad school, I stumbled across a shocking fact about the city we’d be living in: it was the site of the very first Marian apparition. And I bet you, like me, had never heard about it.

Following the death and resurrection of Jesus, the apostles began scattering throughout the world to spread the Gospel message. They were newly energized and reborn by virtue of the Holy Spirit during Pentecost. One of the first apostles to be called by Jesus, St. James the Greater, set out for what was, at that time, the ends of the earth: Galicia, Spain. On his way to the edge of the Iberian peninsula, James stopped in Caesaraugusta, modern day Zaragoza, Spain.

Zaragoza is located in northeastern Spain, on the banks of the Ebro river. It was shortly after the new year in 40 AD, and James had been traveling for a long time. Nicknamed one of the “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus, he was known for being brash and hot-headed. His internal fire burned brightly for God, and by learning at the foot of Jesus for three years James became an important witness to the life and love of Christ. His evangelization had taken him far from home, and he had not seen much success.

On January 2, 40 AD, James was feeling confused and disheartened. He had been sent forth by the Holy Spirit to spread the news of Jesus, but had he misunderstood the assignment? I would hazard a guess that James was frustrated, lonely, and missing the counsel and camaraderie of his brother, his friends, and his Lord. At this low moment he saw something incredible.

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The Blessed Mother appeared before him, in the flesh. Mary was still alive at this date, so this is not only the first Marian apparition, but the only documented instance of Marian bilocation. She stood on a jasper pillar, holding a wooden statue depicting her holding the child Jesus. I can only begin to imagine the utter joy (and probably some alarm!) that James felt at being reunited with such an important figure in his life. Mary consoled him and encouraged him. She explained to him that his work was not in vain, because he was planting the seeds of evangelization in this land that would bear great fruit in the future, even if he was unable to see that growth in the moment.

Mary also gave James instructions to build a church in her honor at their location, the first church to be dedicated to Our Lady. "This place is to be my house,” she said, “and this image and column shall be the title and altar of the temple that you shall build ... and the people of this land will honor greatly my Son, Jesus.” She also called for him to return to Jerusalem after the completion of his westward mission. James would later be martyred in Jerusalem in 44 AD, and, according to tradition, his body brought for burial in Compostela, Spain, the edge of his earthly journey.

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James built a chapel at the site, which was later destroyed and rebuilt a few times. A basilica now stands alongside the river in Zaragoza, dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Pilar. It houses the original jasper pillar and statue from St. James, preserved for nearly 2,000 years. Zaragoza celebrates Día del Pilar on October 12, the National Day of Spain. On this day, Zaragozanos wear the traditional dress of the province of Aragón and bring floral offerings to the Virgen del Pilar. Flowers are piled underneath the miraculous statue and it is processed around the Plaza before Holy Mass. Afterwards, families return home for a large meal, similar to their custom for Christmas Day. All told, the Fiestas del Pilar last for two weeks.

The apparition of Our Lady of the Pillar has not been formally approved by the Church (a Vatican commision on apparitions didn’t exactly exist back then!), but it is accepted by tradition and implicitly approved, given the elevation of the church to basilica status.

As someone with a strong devotion for Marian apparitions, and who has been lucky enough to visit both Lourdes and Fátima, it was incredible to live in the location of the first apparition. We would regularly take the tram downtown and walk through Plaza del Pilar while enjoying ice cream with the kids or on our way back from a dinner date. The basilica is absolutely stunning, and the pillar and statue are very accessible to pilgrims. It is the heart and soul of Zaragoza, and it continues to be a true blessing in my faith and life.

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