Goa is blessed to have a village named after Our Lady of Pilar whose feast we celebrate on 12th October. Our Lady of Pilar was the first apparition of Mother Mary in 40 AD in Zaragoza Spain to St James the Apostle when he was feeling hopeless and depressed and when Mother Mary was still living. She is the patroness of the Pilar Fathers and Mother of the Missions. The devotion to Our Lady of Pilar was started in Goa by the Franciscan Capuchos who built the monastery at Pilar dedicated to our Lady of Pilar in 1613. Another church in Seraulim dedicated to Our Lady of Pilar was built in 1635 by the Jesuits. For over 400 years Our Lady of Pilar has been protecting Goa and it’s people just like St Francis Xavier but not much is known about her among the people of Goa. Many miracles have been reported through her intercession but the three famous ones approved by the Catholic Church are winning of the battle at Calanda, restoration of an amputated leg and protection of Spain from Communism. I have personally experienced her powerful intercession since the last few days since I started praying to her.
During her apparition in Spain, she made three promises -- my image will remain till the end of time, the faith will not be extinguished in this city and at no time will there be lack of true devotees and here the Most High will shower abundantly His graces on those who should invoke my aid in their needs. These promises of our lady are valid even today. As we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Pilar let us seek her intercession in times of our distress and hopelessness and spread her devotion among the people.
