It arises from an early Christian tradition of the first century, which tells us that the Image of Our Lady of Nazareth itself is hidden.
King Rodrigo, the last Visigoth king of the Iberian Peninsula, with the invasion of the Moors in Portugal, fled carrying the relics of São Brás , São Bartolomeu and the image of Our Lady of Nazareth, together with her family and with the Roman Brother who always accompanied him.
When King Rodrigo arrived in Nazareth, there was no more land to flee, the sea began, so he decided to hide the image of Our Lady of Nazareth on a rock, the image stayed there for over 400 years.
In 1182, the image was discovered by pastors who were walking around the region, which due to its beauty and difference of the patterns of images, Our Lady of Nazareth was once again venerated.
Devotion to Our Lady of Nazareth
The devotion of Our Lady of Nazareth was spread throughout the whole region of Portugal and later throughout Europe, with the Jesuits mainly responsible. The main house of the studies of the Jesuit monastery in Portugal is dedicated to Our Lady of Nazaré.
Prayer to Our Lady of Nazareth
O Immaculate Virgin of Nazareth, you were on the earth a humble creature so as to say to the Angel Gabriel:
"Behold the handmaid of the Lord!"
But you were exalted by God I love and praise the Most High who has elevated you to this lofty dignity
and preserved you from all the women and to exercise the sublime mission of Mother of the Incarnate Word.
But I trust in the kindness and tenderness of your heart Immaculate and motherly, I urge you to imitate your humanity
and partake of your charity
in order to live united by grace,
I want with immense affection and filial devotion to greet you as the Archangel St. Grabriel:
"Hail Mary, full of grace .."
Our Lady of Nazareth, pray for us.
Amen!
