Our Lady of the Pillar: St James receives 1st Marian apparition

In 40 AD, the 1st-Marian apparition occurred.

While still alive, the Blessed Virgin visited the apostle, St. James in Spain.

This apparition is known as Our Lady of the Pillar

Feast 7/25 and 10/12

Trust in times of Desolation. After the first Pentecost, St James the Greater, traveled to the pagan lands of Spain. When his evangelization efforts bore no fruit, the apostle became despondent. At evening prayer in Saragossa, by the Ebro riverbanks, a great light engulfed James. In the light, he saw the Blessed Virgin Mary, surrounded by thousands of angels. Mother Mary was living with St John the Evangelist at the time and was very much alive.

A Mother's Love. She provided James with love, comfort and asked him to persevere through: building a church. To mark the spot, the Virgin Mary left a jasper-pillar supporting a statue of herself and the infant Jesus. Immediately, James began work which attracted curious, new followers. The chapel is the first church, ever dedicated to Mother Mary. Today, after many iterations, it is now the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. It is located by the river over the spot where Our Lady appeared to St James almost 2,000 years ago.

1st Martyred Apostle. After the chapel's dedication, James returned to Jerusalem. In addition to receiving the first Marian visit, he was the first apostle to die for the faith. In 44 AD, or 4 years later, Herod Agrippa ordered James's beheading. James's disciples took his remains to repose by Our Lady's pillar for her protection and the peoples' of Saragossa.

Papal Authenticity. The following 4 popes having attested to St James' apparition.

In 1296, Pope Boniface VIII conferred an indulgence on pilgrims visiting this shrine
In 1456, Pope Calixtus III encouraged pilgrimages in a papal bull.
In 1723, Pope Innocent III tasked 12-cardinals with an investigation. Controversies about the shrine proved unfounded.
In 1730, Pope Clement XII approved the October 12 feast of Our Lady of the Pillar. Eventually she was declared Patroness of the Hispanic World.

During the Spanish Civil War (1936) Communists dropped 3 bombs on the church. While the bombs tore through the roof and hit the floor, none exploded. These deactivated bombs are displayed in the Basilica’s walls. The seminarian, St. Josemaria Escriva visited Our Lady of the Pillar frequently. He prayed for guidance and was led to the idea of Opus Dei. Opus Dei members honor her feast day each year. The Camino de Santiago includes a significant pilgrimage stop in Saragossa to honor the efforts of Our Lady and St James, on the Santiago de Compostela journey.

Implications. How did Mother Mary know James was having doubts? Why do Catholics honor Mary?

Mother Mary hears our prayers and reads our hearts. She soothes those who call upon her.
Consider the Cana wedding, when Jesus told his Mom, “My hour has not yet come.” Why did Jesus create the wine anyway? Based on the 4th commandment, He reprioritized His schedule. For Mary-denouncing Protestants, this proves Mother Mary has the access and authority--to alter time.
Her bilocation proves she has the access and authority--to alter space.
She was chosen by Jesus to be His mother. He gave her to us at the foot of the crucifixion. If she is good enough for Jesus, she is good enough for us.

In times of persecution, like St James, let us go to Mother Mary for love, comfort and courage: it awaits us in her loving arms.

Our Lady of the Pillar, please pray for us.

St James, pray for us.

Jesus, we trust in You.

Sources:

Did you know Mary's 1st apparition was an act of bilocation? | aletia.com

Meet Our Lady of the Pillar, the first apparition of the Virgin Mary in history | catholicnewsagency.com

Our Lady of the Pillar: The Oldest Marian Apparition in History | thecatholicheroes.com