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THE SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF TORRECIUDAD
TORRECIUDAD - A LANDSCAPE THAT LEADS TO GOD
Torreciudad is a shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
in Aragon in the north of Spain. Devotion to Our Lady of Torreciudad
dates back to the eleventh century. The new Shrine, built under
the guidance of the founder of Opus Dei, Saint Josemaría
Escrivá, was inaugurated on 7 July 1975. He said that what he
hoped for from the shrine were "spiritual fruits: graces
that the Lord will wish to grant to all who come to honour his
Blessed Mother at her shrine. These are the miracles I desire:
conversions, and peace for many souls." With this in mind,
he asked for confessional chapels to be built and for everything
be done to enable people to pray at the Shrine in peace.
THE ARTISTIC HERITAGE OF ARAGON
Many people helped in the building of the new Shrine, and they
continue to help today towards its maintenance, which also depends
on the generosity of those who visit it. At the same time, a
number of official bodies and private organisations cooperate
in funding its activities. They know that Torreciudad contributes
to the social welfare of the local district and to the region
of Aragon as a whole.
THE TORRECIUDAD TRUST
The Torreciudad Trust looks after the upkeep of the Shrine and
its financial needs. It also organises many of the gatherings
which take place there. As well as a Board of Directors, it
has a team of experts, in charge of the day to day management
of the Shrine, and local delegates, who help to make Torreciudad
known and who promote pilgrimages.
CONTEMPORARY RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE IN A PEACEFUL SETTING.
The principal architect of the new Shrine is Heliodoro Dols.
From 1970 to 1975 he supervised the building works, with the
assistance of the architects Santiago Sols and Ramon Mondejar.
The new shrine of Torreciudad is a unique architectural monument.
Among the outstanding features of the main church are the
alabaster altarpiece, the work of Juan Mayné, and the
Blessed Sacrament chapel, with its bronze figure of the crucified
Christ, by Pasquale Sciancalepore.
In the crypt there is a chapel dedicated to the Holy Family,
as well as three confessional chapels. These chapels are dedicated
respectively to Our Lady of Loreto, Our Lady of the Pilar
and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Along three covered archways on
the esplanade, the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries
of the Rosary are represented.
These ceramic works are by José Alzuet. He also did
of the Stations of the Cross, which follow a way between rocks
and centuries old olive trees.
As you walk along the path leading to the original medieval
shrine you can see the Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St
Joseph, in ceramic, the work of Palmira Laguens.
The medieval shrine housed the original statue of Our Lady
of Torreciudad before it was transferred to the new church.
People from the surrounding towns and villages have a great
devotion to Our Lady of Torreciudad, as do many pilgrims who
come to this corner of northern Aragon. Spiritual activities
at the Shrine are entrusted to the Opus Dei Prelature.
Torreciudad is open every day of the year. If they wish,
visitors may participate in the liturgical acts of worship
and in the other spiritual activities organised in this pilgrimage
centre.
A PLACE WHERE ALL ARE WELCOME
Torreciudad is the goal of many pilgrimages. Some of the more
important yearly events are listed below.
THE MARIAN FAMILY DAY
The Marian Family Day attracts thousands of people who come
to pray to Our Lady of Torreciudad for the family. As on other
occasions, that day Torreciudad becomes a "shrine for
the family"
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF TORRECIUDAD
In keeping with established tradition, neighbours and families
who spend their summer holidays in the surrounding areas come
in the month of August to celebrate the Blessed Virgin's festival.
MUSICAL EVENTS
Each year the music department organises a festival of International
Organ and Church Music which attracts organists of world renown.
The shrine has a 4,072 pipe organ.
A MARIAN ROUTE
A 200 mile (350 km) route links the three Shrines of El Pilar
(Saragossa), Torreciudad and Lourdes in a prayerful journey,
combining artistic works and breathtaking scenery.
FOSTERING LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AND CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
The Torreciudad Trust cooperates in many cultural and social
activities in the surrounding districts: work camps, projects
and outings for university students, training courses for different
trades and professions, as well as agricultural, sporting and
other events to promote social welfare. To foster the spiritual,
social and economic benefits of the Shrine, the Trust keeps
in regular contact with Church bodies and civil authorities.
SILENCE AND SOLITUDE BECOME PART OF THE LANDSCAPE
Torreciudad is one of the most visited places in the Aragon
Pyrenees. Thousands of people from the world over come each
year to this pilgrimage centre, where peace and silence are
found in a setting of great natural beauty. The attractions
of the region make it easy for travel agencies, parishes and
educational organisations to include it in the itineraries of
their pilgrimages and other tours.
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