Happy Fiesta of Pilar!

Today is the feast day (fiesta) of Our Lady of the Pillar. It's a national holiday here in Spain. We've been hearing lots of fireworks all day!

As the story goes, around 40 AD, Mary (carried on a cloud by angels to Zaragoza during the night) appeared to the Apostle James who was praying at the river Ebro. She gave him a small wooden statue of herself and a column (pillar) of jasper wood and instructed him to build a church in her honor. He honored her wish and this became the first church ever dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Basilica is located right next to the river where Mary appeared and the original column and statue are reported to be the same. The pillar is a symbol of firmness, the constancy of faith, a signpost, support and strength.

An image of Nuestra Señora del Pilar on the outside of the Basilica in Zaragoza where we visited in September. 
Here are photos from our previous visit last October.






We're back in Torrevieja enjoying a few days of rest.
Thank You to all who joined us on our retreat.
It was powerful!
Pillars of Presence.



Until I post a few photos from this retreat, here are a few from last year.


More soon!


Much LOVE!