From the desk of the Tar Heel disciple:
October 12, 2025
Because of the popularity of European pilgrimage routes known as “The Camino,” many people are now at least somewhat familiar with the tradition that holds that the remains of the Apostle Saint James the Great are enshrined in the basilica at Compostela, in Galicia, Spain. Fewer people may know that it is also an ancient tradition that the same apostle evangelized the Spanish peninsula (then Roman Hispania) before returning to Jerusalem, where he was martyred by King Herod Agrippa, in 44 AD.
It is recounted that in the face of difficulties while preaching the Gospel in the vicinity of present-day city of Zaragoza (Saragossa) in 40 AD, the Virgin Mary appeared to the apostle in order to encourage him in his apostolic labors. She was still alive at the time, presumably living in Jerusalem. The apparition was, therefore, a miracle of bilocation. Today, there is a small wooden statue placed on an ancient column or pillar in the cathedral-basilica of Zaragoza commemorating this event. The feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar is observed throughout Spain on October 12. In 1730, Pope Innocent XIII extended the observance of the feast on this date throughout the Hispanic world, and in 1905, Pope Pius X granted the image a canonical coronation. The day is still celebrated by the Spanish government as the National Day of Spain.
October 12, 1492, as American school children (used to?) know, has long been observed as Columbus Day in many parts of the U.S., commemorating the landing on that date, at the Bahamas, by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage to America. (This year it is observed on October 13, in keeping with national legislation that moved many national holidays to Mondays). For many years, the day has also been an occasion for the Italian-American community in this country to celebrate their heritage.
More recently, the day has been designated and observed as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” in some jurisdictions (now reclaimed as Columbus Day in the U.S. by Pres. Trump). And beginning in the early years of the twentieth century, it has also been celebrated as Día de la Raza or Dia de la Hispanidad. This mix of ethnic motives with the historic commemoration of the events of 1492 often leads to the omission of any devotion to Our Lady of the Pillar. But for Catholics, this religious heritage can be readily reclaimed, if we would but see “Columbus Day” as another opportunity to honor the Blessed Mother, who encourages us in the midst of our struggles.
Saint James medal and prayer card:
https://inhisname.com/products/saint-james-pewter-medal-prayer-card-set-psd550ja-14679
