Presentation of Infanta Leonor to the Virgin of Atocha: June 7, 2006

[lula]

http://www.casareal.es/index.jsp

JUNE 7

Presentation of Her Royal Highness the Infanta Dona Leonor to Our Lady the Virgin of Atocha
Basílica of Our Lady of Atocha. Madrid

http://www.casareal.es/esp/cronicas/Acto.jsp?acto=3352

Their Royal Highnesses the Princes of Asturias will give continuity to this tradition of the Royal Family

Brief notes on the Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha

As dedication, that of Virgin of Atocha is slightly usual in Spain, so diverse where they are the Marian names. Nevertheless, in Madrid it has basilica as mistress, not declared, of the Court. It is not exact that she is copatrona from Madrid.

Felipe III institutes in 1602 the basilica and other establishments placed around her as Royal Patronage, entrusted since then the Preachers' Order in order to inform suffrages for the King and to attend to social functions . He saved itself, besides, the right to be buried in this temple (the construction of the Kings' Pantheon of the Monastery of El Escorial was stopped then by technical problems). For this reason, the charges and rights of Patronage correspond to National wealth (Law 23/1982).


Royal devotion

Isabel II was a queen close all that she was identifying with the people of Madrid, and from her adult age (1843), added new devotions to the Virgin of Atocha, since to come every Saturday to the prayer of the Salve when the Court was in Madrid (November - March), and to present the Infantes a few days after being born.
In spite of this devotion, the queen married in the chapel of the Royal Palace (1846). Nevertheless, Alfonso XII would find in Atocha the space for guests who were demanding the new social customs, and that the Royal Chapel was lacking.

Phases of the basilica

The history of the sanctuary of Our Lady of Atocha (basilica after the Concordat of 1851) is not documented well and the news previous to the institution of the Royal Patronage is confused and fragmentary.
With regard to the building, the following steps can be distinguished:

Felipe III gives the orders to construct a chapel for the Virgin the famous Juan Gómez de Mora, placed parallel to the church of the convent.

Felipe IV rebuilds, from 1649, the dressing-room of the Virgin, to which Carlos II provides with fresh air painted by Lucas Jordán. In 1808, during the French occupation, the interior of the temple and of the chapel they remain satiny. The architect Isidro Gonzalez Velázquez unifies chapel and temple.

Patches and arrangements do not avoid a deterioration that in 1885 leads to the demolition of the factory. Dona Maria Cristina summons in 1890 a contest to build a great suitable temple for ceremonies of State, which Fernando Arbós gains. Only he concluded the campanile and a part of the cloister (today Pantheon of Illustrious Men).

The Preachers' Order tackles to its expenses in 1924 the construction of a convent and basilica, according to project of Francisco Antón, of style seudobarroco.

Destroyed the previous one in 1936, the current one is a work of Diego Méndez (1951). In the rest of the plot not occupied by the temple, National wealth built a college (Ramon Andrada), inaugurated in 1970.

Prominent events

The Prince of Asturias (future Carlos IV) and his wife, Maria Luisa of Parma, celebrate mass of watches, with great solemnity and device on December 11, 1765.

The Prince of Asturias (future Fernando VII) visit Atocha, on July 19, 1803, with his first wife, Maria Antonia de Borbón. Fernando VII and Maria Josefa Amalia of Saxony, after the watches, come to the sanctuary on October 21, 1819.

Fernando VII and Maria Cristina de Borbón celebrate velaciones on December 12, 1829.

The Queen Isabel II, on the following day of her marriage in the Royal Palace, celebrates watches on October 11, 1846.

Isabel II inaugurates the pious habit of offering the Virgin of Atocha the born Infantes alive (1852).

The King Alfonso XII celebrates in this basilica his two weddings: on January 23, 1878, with Dona Maria de las Mercedes de Orleáns; and on November 29, 1879, with Dona Cristina of Austria. The courtship was the most solemn.

Don Alfonso XIII presides on the first Saturday of November, 1926 at the movement of the image from the Royal Patronage of the Good Event to Atocha's basilica.

Don Juan Carlos, Prince at the time of Spain, there presents the Virgin to his children the Prince of Asturias (1968), and the Infantas Dona Elena (1963) and Dona Cristina (1965).

Her Royal Highnesses the Princes of Asturias, in the day of their wedding, May 22, 2004, realized a floral offering.

 

[mtbcm]

http://www.casareal.es/index.jsp

JUNE 7

Presentation of Her Royal Highness the Infanta Dona Leonor to Our Lady the Virgin of Atocha
Basílica of Our Lady of Atocha. Madrid

Thank you, lula, for letting us know. I hope it's not too hot that day so Infanta Leonor can be well mooded on her presentation to the Virgin.

Thank you once again.

Regards,
mtbcm

 

[LaChicaMadrilena]

I'm sooo happy!

Here you have an article from telemadrid:
http://www.telemadrid.com/actualidad/noticia.pag?codigo=153023

Next Wednesday the Princes will present their first-born to the Virgin of Atocha.
Princes de Asturias will present the next Wednesday, 7th of June, their first-born, Infant Leonor, to the Virgin of Nuestra Seńora Atocha, a tradition of the Spanish Royal Family which goes back to century XVII, according to a spokesman of the House of the King. Of this form, Don Felipe and Doña Letizia will give continuity to very old devotion that Royal Family professes to nuestra Seńora de Atocha, and that caused that the own Prince was presented before the Virgin few days after his birth, something that also made with its children Infant Elena. Alfonso XIII, who was born the 17 of May of 1886, was taken before the Virgin of Atocha 45 days after his birth. There is no certainty of which when he had his children, between 1907 and 1914, he followed the tradition because the basilica was in ruins and was closed in 1911. The Princes will return thus to he himself temple in which the day of her wedding, after the ceremony celebrated in the cathedral of the Almudena the 22 of May of 2004, Doña Letizia deposited her branch of fiancèe before the bizantina image of the Virgin. Our Mrs. of Atocha was proclaimed protective of the Royal Family and the Spanish Monarchy in 1643 by Felipe IV, although this real devotion is located in its origin in king Alfonso I SAW, in century XI, years in which it calculates was constructed the first temple. The Basilica is located in the Reconciled Madrilenian of the City of Barcelona, next to the stroll of the Prado, and its building was concluded in 1951 like reconstruction from which it dated from century principles and that were sacked and set afire in the beginning of the Civil War. Small image bizantina of Our Mrs. of Atocha, that the legend aims that it arrived at Spain from Antioch in century X, has always been saved of the lootings which the temple was put under. The crowns of the Virgin and the Boy were gift of Isabel II, in gratefulness to have survived in 1854 the apuñalamiento of Merino priest, when it was going to present/display to Our Lady the Virgin to Infant Isabel, “the Boat”. The image of the Virgin of Atocha, that takes one diadema simple in the head, is in sedente attitude, on a throne and holds to the Boy with the left hand, whereas with the right maintains an apple, sign of the .redemption. The crowns have he himself design. Made in sobregilded silver, they alternate brilliants and topazes and one cristería which they leave the six imperial ones, that serves as support to the ball and the cross of the closing. Habitually one venerates in his dressing room without mantle, crowns nor decorations, although in the great ceremonies, like the day in which Doña Letizia went with the Prince to deposit her branch of fiancèe, shows to the Insigne Order of the Toisón and the Real one and Distinguished Order of Carlos III. Also in the exceptional occasions, the image of the Virgin is adorned with rostrillo, very used in centuries XVIII and XIX instead of other jewels, and that the face of the image frames to praise it. Alfonso XIII, accompanied by his mother, queen Maria Cristina, presided over the first Saturday of November of 1926 the transfer of the image from the Real Patronage from the Good Event to the basilica of Atocha. Although the history of the building that lodges the image is confused, is known that Felipe III commanded to construct to the chapel of the Virgin to Juan Go'mez de Mora, in parallel to the church of the convent. Felipe IV rebuilt, as of 1649, the dressing room of the Virgin, to whom Carlos II equipped with fresh painted by Lucas Jordán. Isidro architect González Vela'zquez was in charge of the reconstruction after the French occupation and, before the later deteriorations, the queen runs, Doña Maria Cristina, summoned in 1890 an aid to build a great temple, but the architect Fernando Arbós only concluded campanile and a part of claustro, that today is the Pantheon of Illustrious Men.

 

[LaChicaMadrilena]

The Princes will have such a busy next week! They are going to have acts every day, except Tuesday. And they will have to hurry with this presentation of the girl, since they have other two activities on Wednesday!

 

[yassy246]

What are the possiblities that we'd get to see that. I dont think they show the Infanta enough. Or at least not as much as they brought Dona Felipe as a child into the public view

 

[mtbcm]

What are the possiblities that we'd get to see that. I dont think they show the Infanta enough. Or at least not as much as they brought Dona Felipe as a child into the public view

We have all the possibilities of seeing the litle Infanta, at least when entering the Basilica.

When Prince Felipe went to the Basilica of Atocha almost nobody knew that Princes Juan and Sofia would bring the baby that day, so I find quite nice from Princes of Asturias to let us know that they will present Leonor on that day, so whoever wants can see the Infanta in loco and the media can be there to cover it.

The public displays of Prince Felipe as a baby were agreed with the press and the times were others.

As much I would like to see pictures of Leonor every day, I don't agree that we see her so few times. She even went to a cousin birthday party and posed to the press.

 

[aryo]

great news!!!!!!!!!
what are they going to do there?

 

[Anna_R]

great news!!!!!!!!!
what are they going to do there?

They are going to present Leonor to the Virgin. It's a tradition of the Spanish Royal family. Elena, Cristina and Felipe were also presented by their parents.

 

[aryo]

i know that anna,i want some information about the ceremony.how is it?
they just go there and listen to the priest or what?
thanks

 

[Anna_R]

I think that it comprises a thanksgiving mass for the birth of the Infanta.

Maybe our Spanish members can enlighten us on this subject

 

[carlota]

these are great news. i really look forward to see leonor...

I think that it comprises a thanksgiving mass for the birth of the Infanta.

Maybe our Spanish members can enlighten us on this subject

from what i have read at the link that i provide below, the ceremony dates from the times of carlos v of spain. it signifies the tradition of spanish women wanting to receive purification and to offer their children to the church.

it seems to be more or less like a normal mass, but including a special part to present the baby to the virgin. it also mentions some curiosities of the presentation of prince felipe, and says that during the sermon he didn't stop crying until he heard the sound of an organ.

it also has some lovely photos of the king and queen (then princes) and infante felipe that day, that are definetely worth a look.

http://www.dominicos.org/atocha/atocha/Cronica_hola.htm

 

[LaChicaMadrilena]

it also mentions some curiosities of the presentation of prince felipe, and says that during the sermon he didn't stop crying until he heard the sound of an organ.

http://www.dominicos.org/atocha/atocha/Cronica_hola.htm

Wow! Maybe it has some simbolical meaning?! I wonder if Leo will cry... But she is such a calm girl, so maybe not
Thanks for the link!

 

[planetcher]

Were the Infanta's cousins also presented to the Virgin of Atocha? Or is this only for Infantas and Infantes?

 

[Mari_*]

Were the Infanta's cousins also presented to the Virgin of Atocha? Or is this only for Infantas and Infantes?

Only for Infantas and Infantes..

I cant wait to see baby Leonor!

 

[zaza61]

In telemadrid

Yesterday they have said in telemdrid the tv will be there. I hope they will make a special during the ceremony !

 

[lula]

http://www.abc.es/20060603/nacional-nacional/principes-asturias-llevaran-miercoles_200606030254.html

The Princes of Asturias will take on Wednesday their daughter, Doña Leonor, before the Virgin of Atocha

Such and since it comes doing the Royal Family from the epoch of the first Austrias, Their Royal Highnesses the Princes of Asturias will take their first-born one, the Infanta Dona Leonor, before the image of Our Lady the Virgin of Atocha. The presentation of the daughter of Don Felipe and Dona Letizia will take place next Wednesday, the 7th, at a quarter after eleven in the morning, as reported yesterday a speaker of the Palace of The Zarzuela.

The advertisement of the presentation of the girl before the Virgin started itself knowing during the visit that the Princes realized to the municipality of Madrid of Alcala de Henares, where they remained eight hours. Between other places, they visited the Town hall, Michael's natal house of Cervantes, the factory of perfumes Gal and a hospital.

Of this form, the Inheritor of the Wreath and his wife will give fulfillment to an old tradition of the Royal Family, who for centuries comes to give them thanks to the Virgin for the birth of the new members. Also Don Juan Carlos and Dona Sofía took to Atocha's temple their children, the Prince of Asturias and the Infantas Dona Elenas and Dona Cristina, months after coming to the world.

In concrete, Don Felipe was presented and offered to the Virgin of Atocha on July 13, 1968, when he was almost six months old, and the small Leonor will be taken to the basilica seven months after her birth.

With this motive, the Princes will return to the temple in which Dona Letizia deposited her branch after her wedding with Don Felipe. The same one in which there married the great-great-grand-father of the Inheritor of the Wreath, Alfonso XII, and to that all the Kings of Spain have come to pray from the times of Alfonso VI, though its epoch of major brilliance coincided with the Reign of Carlos I.

The chronicles tell that Felipe II was never going out of Madrid without passing before to say before the Virgin of Atocha, that Felipe III did that the image was accompanying him in his bed of death and that Felipe IV managed to visit 3.400 times along his life.

 

[lula]

http://www.dominicos.org/atocha/atocha/Cronica_hola.htm

The chronicle belongs to Jaime Peñafiel, when he was expert in Royal Houses (not how now ), 38 years ago, and he was employed at a good magazine how Hola.

http://www.dominicos.org/atocha/atocha/Cronica_hola.htm

Last Saturday, and to five months of his birth. There has been presented to the Virgin of Madrid of Atocha the infantito don Felipe de Borbón, son of Their Royal Highness the princes don Juan Carlos and Dona Sofía of Spain.

This event answers to a pious tradition of the Spanish royal family, who dates nothing less than the epoch of Carlos V. inspired at the same time by the pious custom of the Spanish woman who has been a mother, of coming to the God's house to be purified on the one hand and to present her son for other one.

Don Juan Carlos and dona Sofía, public inspectors in the matter and to the practice of the customs and Spanish traditions - against more popular-, more of the pleasure of the princes-, some time ago that they wanted to come to the basilica gift of venerates the image of the mistress of the former Court of Madrid, where in its day also dona Elena and dona Cristina were presented to the Virgin . But diverse events and trips it had forced to delay this nice act until the last Saturday.

The choice of this day of was not precisely chance, but express from of the princess Sofía, knowledgeable of the Marian sense of the Saturday.

The hour fixed at first for the act it was half after seven of the evening. But in view of the intense reigning heat this hour, the princes and their son, the infante Felipe, would not come to the Basilica up to passed the eight of the evening.

Though the event had not been a public fact, in view of the intimate character with which they please of Sofia and Juan Carlos surround all their familiar acts, the certain thing is that from seven o'clock in the afternoon an immense crowd was filling up to overflowing the wide temple, as well as the gardens of access to the basilica. They were simple and humble peoples in the main, inhabitants of the populous slum of Madrid.

Soon after eight o'clock in the afternoon they were coming Their Highnesses proceeding from the palace of the Zarzuela, in company of the assistant of service, lieutenant colonel of the Army of the Air, don Juan Manuel Santos Suárez. In the second car they were accompanied by the inspectors of police officer gentlemen Anguas and Montero.
The princess, who was dressing a garment of sedates native of green color, she was taking her son Felipe in the arms. The small one, of fair hairs like his father and of tez white as her mother he was kept erguido and wake up. With his enormously big and blue eyes he was observing everything what him was making a detour.

At the door of the temple they were got by the father Aniceto Fernandez, general teacher of the religious Dominicans, to whom the custody of basilica is entrusted. Also there was present the provincial one of the order, father Segismundo Cascón, and the components of the community.

The father Aniceto Fernandez, who was redressed in rain cap, said in the porch the prayers of ritual, later the ceremony would continue in the major altar while the march of the infantes was interpreted to the organ. Before proceeding to the presentation of the child to the Virgin, the princes took seat in a seat of honor in the presbytery, while the general father of Dominicans was declaring a beautiful allusive conversation to the presentación.

During a moment of the above mentioned conversation, the infante don Felipe, overwhelmed possibly by the intense heat, began to crying while his mother was meeting to console him. Only when the organ, once finished the allocution of the priest, stopped to hear its notes, the small one he stopped from his cryings.

The ceremony concluded finally with the presentation of Felipe to the Virgin and the benediction of the priest for his mother. Finally it was half-closed Save it popularly. Finished this one, the prince don Juan took his son in the arms and in company of the princess and of the parents of the community they left the basilica.

The multitude returned to pay them, as at the arrival, the warmest samples of fondness and affection.

 

[Eva-Britt]

I can't wait to see Leonor again!! How old is she now? In the last pics a saw she was such a cute little baby with very litte trousers..

 

[lula]

Photos from cover and ww.dominicos.org/atocha

1-2 Basilica of Atocha
3-4 Virgin of Atocha
5 Presentation of the baby King Alfonso XIII
6 Presentation of Infanta Elena
7 Presentation of Infanta Cristina
8-9 Presentatios of Prince Felipe
10 The Princes of Asturias the their of their wedding in Atocha

 

[Anna_R]

I can't wait to see Leonor again!! How old is she now? In the last pics a saw she was such a cute little baby with very litte trousers..

Leonor turned 7 months on May 31st.

Her last appearances to the public were on Easter Sunday and on Miguel Urdangarin's birthday. You can see the pictures here: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f21/easter-vacations-2006-a-9379.html
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f21/royal-family-spain-current-events-part-ix-8644-7.html

 

[lucys]

So I read the ceremony is very very simple. Presentation to the Virgin and a prayer to the Virgin being the crux of it. Coverage will be limited: one TV camera, one radio, and one pool photographer inside the basilica, plus one journalist per newspaper; outside will be a camera crew per news station and more photographers. It sounds like in keeping with the style of this particular royal family, it will be discrete and unpretentious.

 

[lula]

So I read the ceremony is very very simple. Presentation to the Virgin and a prayer to the Virgin being the crux of it. Coverage will be limited: one TV camera, one radio, and one pool photographer inside the basilica, plus one journalist per newspaper; outside will be a camera crew per news station and more photographers. It sounds like in keeping with the style of this particular royal family, it will be discrete and unpretentious.

It is the normal thing in many acts of the Royal Family, in the wedding of the Princes it was like that. Also it is habitual in another type of acts. In Spain there are many mass media, and it is impossible that they all enter, in this case, in a church. Because of it, at the interior there is employed a small equipment of mass media that always are public and that later distribute the sign or the photographies free.
In the exterior, it is where, there can be more press.

 

[Paty]

Some Information about The basilica of Our Lady of Atocha.

For several generations, the Virgin of Our Lady of Atocha is the mistress of the Royal Spanish House. To himofrendan the infantes newborn children and before her there have been celebrated two of the last important weddings of the capital. Those of Alfonso XII with Maria de las Mercedes of Orleans and Borbón and the second wedding of this King with Maria Cristina de Habsburgo and Lorraine.

There are documents that demonstrate that already in the VIIth century devotion existed to the Virgin of Atocha and in the XIth century the chronicles speak about the existence of a church. It was a small chapel of 15 feet of long billiard cue and 12 of broad because, as says the father Cepeda, " more grandeurs were not allowing the Moors who were living in her nearness ". During the permanency of the Arabsin Madrid, it was stipulated in the conditions of the capitulation that they would be respected the worship to the Virgin of Atocha and to the parish of the Santa Cruz. Since in 1083 Alfonso VI reconquered Madrid, the fact was attributed to the intercession of the Virgin of Atocha, over what her worship was spreading furthermore.

According to the chronicles, diverse kings visited the Virgin of Atocha: Alfonso VII, Alfonso IX, Sancho IV the Brave one, Enrique II, Enrique III, Enrique IV, Juan I. Juan II and the Kings Católicos, who in 1478 confirmed the foundations done in favour of the sanctuary by Enrique IV in 1455. It will be nevertheless, the emperor Carlos I the one that gives a major brilliance to the sanctuary and to his entail with the wreath. Hisconfessor, the Dominican Juan Hurtado of Mendoza, achieved of the emperor that the Virgin of Atocha was entrusted the Dominicans in 1523. Philip II inherited from his father this devotion and he was never going out of Madrid without happening for the Virgin of Atocha. This monarch accepted his royal patronage and established the habit of being going every Saturday to pray Save it. It began his reign visiting her and it ended up by making it take the image, at the moment of hisdeath, close to his bed.

Philip IV was who more devotion showed to the Virgin. he had habit of receiving communion there every Saturday and it is said that the church managed to visit approximately 3.400 times. Also he died with the image of the Virgin of Atocha in his bedroom. Carlos II wanted that his first exit like King went to Atocha. To a few days of returning of his wedding with Maria Luisa of Orleans, he visited Ntra. Ms of Atocha, giving him a rich mantle. The Borbones continued with the devotion. Philip V, on having come to Madrid, before that to the Court, wanted to greet the Virgin of Atocha, whom itcontinued visiting and offering his children and doing important donations. On December 11, 1829 in Aranjuez's Royal Place. Fernando VII and Maria Cristina of Borbón-Naples were marrying. On the following day, December 12, the Mass of Watches was celebrated in the Church of Our Lady of Atocha.

On October 10, 1846 there was marrying in the Royal Palace of Madrid Isabel II and the Infante Don Francisco de Asis. Like his father, on the following day came to the temple of our Lady of Atocha to the Mass of Watches. Isabel II was very devout of the Virgin, it she did important gifts and obtained of the dad Pío XI the dignity of Basilica for the sanctuary.
On January 23, 1878 they married in the Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha Alfonso XII and his cousin Mercedes of Orleans and November 26, 1879 he married again Maria Cristina, Archduchess of Austria. The latter Queen presented the Virgin to his son Alfonso XIII, when only he was 45 days old.


The building, which had suffered important hurts during the typically French behaviour, was pillaged during the Civil war, and reconstructed later. The small original image lasts, of scarcely sixty centimeters of height and that a black virgin represents with the child in the arms.
Already at present Don Juan Carlos and Dona Sofía presented his children to the Virgin in the Basilica: to the Infanta Elena in 1963; to the Infanta Cristina, in 1965, and to the Prince Felipe, in 1968. The close event before the Virgin of Atocha will take place on May 22, 2004, when Dona Letizia Ortiz, future wife of the Prince Felipe, inheritor of the Wreath, will offer his fiancée's branch to the Virgin immediately after his wedding in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Almudena of Madrid. Tradition and innovation in a Basilica joined the history of our Royal Family.

www.abc.es

 

[adelaide]

Many thaks paty for the article, it's very interesting.( In spanish Don Fransico of You Seize ? )

 

[Paty]

Many thaks paty for the article, it's very interesting.( In spanish Don Fransico of You Seize ? )

Escuse me Adelaide , its a mistake of the automatic translator.
The corret name in spanish is Infate Don Francisco de Asis

 

[adelaide]

Escuse me Adelaide , its a mistake of the automatic translator.
The corret name in spanish is Infate Don Francisco de Asis

Not at all, it's very well know that the automatic translator don't like the surname. Sometimes it's very funny, I remenber I read for a French famous family called "Pozo di Borgo " the surname translated " Puit du Bourg " it's more less romantic......

 

[Paty]

Yes, sometimes its really funny to see haw the transalators do their job in that way. We muts be carefful with all those things

 

[Elsa M.]

http://www.hola.com/abonados/casasreales/2006/06/05/atocha-tradicion/?auth=yes

The Princes of Asturias have decided to continue with the tradition of presenting their daughter, Infanta Leonor, to Our Lady the Virgin of Atocha, next June 7th. While prince Felipe was presented by his parents when he was just five days old (on July 13th 1968, according to the chronicles), his daughter will be taken to the basilica at seven months old.

The event will have a special enchantment, since it was to this temple that Doña Letizia offered her wedding bouquet. Now, romanticism and tradition will be combined again.


Centuries of history
The tradition of the Kings or the Hereditary Princes present their children, the Infants, to the Virgin of Atocha goes back to the distant reign of Felipe II, but it was Isabel II (the one who obtained from Pius IX the authorization to turn the shrine into a basilica) who more persistently fought for the maintenance of this tradition.

Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía, many years later, presented their three children to the Virgin, just a few days after they were born: Doña Elena (in 1963), Doña Cristina (in 1965) and Prince Felipe (in 1968).

 

[Eliza]

I love the historic and traditional that surrounds this event.

Plus it would be just wonderful to see the little princess again! She's truely beautiful - like all babies!

 

[lula]

http://www.abc.es/20060607/nacional-nacional/virgen-atocha-recibe-dona_200606070308.html

The Virgin of Atocha receives Dona Leonor

MADRID. The Princes of Asturias present today their first-born one, the Infanta Dona Leonor, the Virgin of Atocha, mistress of the Royal House, to thank for her birth. It is fulfilled hereby by the tradition of the Royal Family that Felipe II initiated in 1566, when I take to the basilica his daughter Isabel Clara Eugenia.

This one will be the second occasion in the one that appears to Dona Leonor to the Virgin, since the height presided at the baptism of the Infanta, moment in which there was a gesture of offer.

The Father Jose Antonio, parson of the Virgin of Atocha, confirmed a ABC the assistance of the Archbishop of Madrid, Antonio Maria Rouco Varela. An act that does not have a special liturgy and that, normally, consists of a gesture of presentation and the prayer of a prayer to the Virgin.

In this act there will not be present the Kings, who are of official trip in Norway up to tomorrow.

Our Lady of Atocha was proclaimed protective of the Royal Family and of the Spanish Monarchy in 1643 by Felipe IV, though this royal devotion goes back to Alfonso VI, in the XIth century, moment in which there is dated the construction of the first temple. In 1523 the Virgin was entrusted the Dominicans, who still deal with they care.

The legend assures that the small image, a beautiful Byzantine height, came to Spain from Antioch in the century X. The Virgin, who takes a simple diadem in the head, is sat on a throne and holds the Child Jesus with the left hand, whereas with the right she supports an apple, sign of the Redemption.

Habitually she is venerated without mantle, wreath or decorations, though in the big ceremonies, as the day in which Dona Letizia came with the Prince to deposit her wedding´s branch, she shows the Celebrated Order of the Toisón and the Royal and Distinguished Order of Carlos III.

According to the chronicles, diverse kings visited the Virgin of Atocha: Alfonso VII, Alfonso IX, Sancho IV the Brave one, Enrique II, Enrique III, Enrique IV, Juan I. Juan II and the Kings Católicos. It will be nevertheless, the emperor Carlos I the one that gives a major brilliance to the sanctuary and to the links with the wreath. Felipe II inherited from his father this devotion and he was never going out of Madrid without passing for the Virgin of Atocha. But he was Felipe IV who more devotion showed to the Virgin. hE had habit of receiving communion there every Saturday and it is said that the church managed to visit approximately 3.400 times.

The Borbones continued with the devotion, up to the point of which Alfonso XII celebrated his two weddings, with Mercedes of Orleans and with Maria Cristina, in the Virgin of Atocha.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Princes of Asturias present today their first-born one, the Infanta Leonor, the Virgin of Atocha

http://www.telemadrid.com/actualidad/noticia.pag?codigo=153311
(video of the little girl)

Telemadrid is going to be in Atocha, you can see see some images, at least of the entry (not if the complete act). The program of television begins the 9.30, but I believe that the act begins passed the 11.00.

http://www.telemadrid.com/home.pag

En Directo
TELEMADRID SAT