Our Lady of Covadonga
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Our Lady of Covadonga, affectionately known as "La Santina", is one of the most beloved religious figures in Asturias, northern Spain. Her image is venerated in the Holy Cave of Covadonga, a place of Marian devotion since the Middle Ages.
According to tradition, the Virgin's protection was associated with the events surrounding Pelayo and the Battle of Covadonga in the early 8th century. The story became closely linked to the origins of the Kingdom of Asturias, although some details belong to historical tradition and legend.
Our Lady of Covadonga is the patron saint of Asturias. On 8 September 1918, her image was canonically crowned, and that date is celebrated as both the feast of the Virgin and Asturias Day. To this day, pilgrims visit the sanctuary to pray, give thanks, and seek comfort and guidance.
Blessed is the Queen Of our mountains, Whose throne is set In the cradle of Spain, And who shines on high, More beautiful than the sun. She is Mother and Queen. Come, pilgrims, For before her, divine love is inspired, And within her dwells the soul of the Spanish people. Hail Mary, Queen and Mother Of the people who crown you today. In the hymns they sing, They offer you their soul and heart. Cause of our joy, Our life and our hope, Bless us, our Mother, And grant us your protection. Like the morning star, She shines, announcing Glory, And the grotto is the gateway To the temple of our history. She is Heaven and Faith, And the soul of Spain is kissed By whoever comes to kiss her feet. Our Lady of Covadonga, Glorious Virgin, Flower of Heaven Who fills our mountains with fragrance, You are the most loving, The most beautiful, Queen of those who triumph, Queen of Spain. Our fathers turned their eyes to You, And were always heard by You. With Your name upon their lips, They carried You in their hearts; With Your love in their souls, They lived always. Watch over us, our Mother, For we turn to You In good times, To celebrate You, And in bad times, To plead with You, Always trusting That we are heard. Amen.